Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 3

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.

Ivor Callely

Question:

88 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the developments in regard to the re-establishment of the inclusive executive in the North of Ireland; the powers that have been devolved to the Executive; the likely time schedule for the establishment of the North South Ministerial Council and the implementation bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16393/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The Order restoring power to the Executive and the Assembly in the North entered into force on 30 May.

The Assembly and Executive have responsibility for all matters relating to Northern Ireland except for those which are excepted or reserved under the Northern Ireland Act, 1999, the British legislation giving effect to the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement. Currently, Ministers of the Executive oversee ten government departments: Agriculture; Culture, Arts and Leisure; Education; Enterprise, Trade and Investment; Environment; Finance and Personnel; Health, Social Services and Public Safety; Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment; Regional Development; and Social Development.

The North/South Ministerial Council was established on 2 December 1999 and held its first plenary meeting in Armagh on 13 December. Given the absence of Northern Ministers, it was unable to meet while the Executive was suspended. It has now resumed its full operation and the next meeting of the Council, to discuss matters relating to the Special EU Programmes Implementation Body, is scheduled to take place in Dublin on Friday, 16 June 2000. A further eight meetings of the Council to discuss the agreed areas of co-operation and the on-going work of the implementation bodies are scheduled to take place before the summer break. Arrangements are also being made to hold the second Plenary Meeting of the Council, which is due to take place in Dublin.

Ivor Callely

Question:

89 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the mechanism available to address human rights abuses, concerns and behaviour of certain elements of the RUC serving in the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16394/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The Government raises cases of concern in Northern Ireland through the framework of the British-Irish intergovernmental conference. As provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, the conference addresses, in particular, "the areas of rights, justice, prisons and policing in Northern Ireland". The Government regularly raises alleged human rights abuses and any concerns about the behaviour of members of the RUC with the British Government through this framework.

Persons with concerns about such issues may also raise them directly through a number of mechanisms. The Independent Commission for Police Complaints is currently tasked with supervising complaints made by the public against members of the police. The Commission will be replaced this autumn by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland who will have a broader range of powers. Alleged human rights abuses may of course, also be raised with the Human Rights Commission for Northern Ireland.