Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:
233
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if the Government has raised the issue of the alleged harassment of persons (details supplied) with Sinn Féin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1098/01]
The Government abhors all acts of intimidation. No-one from any community in Northern Ireland has a mandate to engage in murder, violence or intimidation. The people of this island, North and South, in endorsing the Belfast Agreement, have decided on a future based on democratic principles, the peaceful resolution of conflict and mutual respect.
The Government wishes to see an immediate end to the harassment referred to by the Deputy and to all acts of violence or intimidation, and calls on the perpetrators to end it forthwith. The Government also encourages any party with influence on the perpetrators to use their best endeavours to end this cowardly practice.
Question:
234
Mr. Hayes
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the total number employed within the joint secretariat of the North South Ministerial Council; the breakdown in terms of personnel from the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Irish Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1268/01]
The North-South Ministerial Council is supported by a joint secretariat composed of 27 people drawn from the respective Civil Services, North and South. Of these, 15 are from the North and 12 are from the South. An additional two posts from the South have been sanctioned by the Government and are in the process of being filled.
The role of the standing joint secretariat is to facilitate the operation of the North-South Ministerial Council. It also has responsibility for monitoring the implementation of decisions of the Council and, in that capacity, liaises closely with the relevant Departments, North and South, with the all-island Implementation Bodies and with the new all-island tourism company.
Question:
235
Mr. Hayes
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if each institution established under the Good Friday Agreement must publish an annual report; the total number of reports which have been published to date by the North South Ministerial Council, the six Implementation Bodies and the British Irish Council; if he has satisfied himself that the reporting mechanism in place is adequate to inform members of the Oireachtas in respect of policy initiatives taken by these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1269/01]
The Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of institutions across the three strands of the negotiations dealing with relations within Northern Ireland, between North and South on the island and between these islands. These institutions came into force on 2 December 1999.
Now that the first year of operation of the North-South Ministerial Council has concluded, preparation of its first annual report is currently being undertaken by its joint secretariat in Armagh. The draft report will subsequently be submitted to the North-South Ministerial Council for approval and adoption. I intend that this report, once adopted by the North-South Ministerial Council, will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Each of the six all-island Implementation Bodies is required to submit a report on its activities in each year to the North-South Ministerial Council "at such date and in such form as NSMC may direct." Now that the first year of operation of the all-island Implementation Bodies has been completed, arrangements are being made for each body to submit a report of its activities for that period to the North-South Ministerial Council. These reports will then be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
After each meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council, a joint communiqué is published which provides a comprehensive summary of the discussions at that meeting and the decisions taken. This communiqué is distributed to the media and I am arranging that, in each case, copies will, henceforward, be placed in the Oireachtas Library.
Ministers are also reporting regularly to the House on North-South business by means of parliamentary questions in their specific areas of responsibility. Given the newness of the institutions, the Government is willing to keep under review how best to ensure the Oireachtas is fully informed of the progress and operations of the North-South Ministerial Council.
The membership of the British-Irish Council comprises representatives of the British and Irish Governments, devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales together with representatives of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, the full membership of the British-Irish Council will keep under review the workings of the Council, including a formal published review at an appropriate time after the agreement comes into effect. In line with the Good Friday Agreement, members of the British-Irish Council will operate in accordance with whatever procedures for democratic authority and accountability are in force in their respective elected institutions, including in relation to reporting procedures.
At its next summit meeting, members of the British-Irish Council will report on progress in those areas of work in which they have taken a lead role. This includes transport – Northern Ireland, social inclusion – Scotland and Wales, knowledge economy – Jersey and environment – UK. The subject matter of the summit will be drugs, the area for which the Irish Government has taken the lead.
A communiqué will be distributed to the media and I am arranging that copies will be placed in the Oireachtas Library.
