Austin Currie
Question:66 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the Northern Ireland peace process in the aftermath of the recent elections. [17901/01]
Priority Questions. - Northern Ireland Issues.
As the House will be aware, the Governments and parties are currently engaged in an intensive round of discussions to find an agreed basis on which outstanding elements of the Agreement are to be implemented.
Last Wednesday I met Secretary of State, John Reid, in Dublin and on Thursday the Taoiseach met Prime Minister Blair at the European Council in Gothenburg. Yesterday the Taoiseach, the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, and I met the main pro-Agreement parties in London and we will follow up on these discussions in the days ahead.
The election results highlight the urgent need for us to make progress now. Regardless of the imposition of deadlines or ultimatums, the arrangements under the Agreement cannot thrive unless we can put our difficulties behind us.
The issues we need to address are well known – policing, demilitarisation, the operation of the institutions and decommissioning. We were able to make some progress before we broke for the elections and we are now seeking to take that work forward.
While the House would not expect me to go into the detail of what is being discussed, Deputies will appreciate that our task is not an easy one. If we are to find a way forward, there are difficult decisions to be taken by all concerned. We will all have to be certain and clear about what is proposed. Commitments entered into will have to be honoured by all sides.
It is clear that the majority of people in the North continue to want the Agreement, in all of its aspects, to work. They have seen their lives improve in a great many different ways and they know that the only way to sustain and to build on this is to see the Agreement fully implemented.
The Government stands ready to do what it can. The parties must also act in good faith and each make its contribution to finding a way forward. We will continue our efforts to secure the remaining steps necessary to achieve the full implementation of the Agreement in the period ahead and I thank the House for its continued support in this effort.
I do not know whether the Minister was present in the House when the Taoiseach talked about the dreadful vista if agreement is not reached in the talks. Does the Minister agree that this dreadful vista will be avoided only if there is agreement on the one central issue, decommissioning, which is fundamental among all others at present? Does he agree there is one party, the republican movement, which has responsibility for movement in this area and that if there is not movement, that it will not be the fault of the British, the Unionists, this Government or the SDLP if this dreadful vista unfolds?
As the question is related to the aftermath of the elections, does the Minister agree there is a strong argument for the introduction of proportional representation for Westminster elections in Northern Ireland? Does he agree that because Northern Ireland has been established as a place apart in the past because there is proportional representation for local elections, Assembly elections and European elections there is an unanswerable case for the introduction of that system for Westminster elections to avoid the tribal and sectarian divides which are encouraged as a result of the first past the post system?
It is not profitable to predict the apportionment of blame game before we go into the details of these discussions. The reality is as the Deputy outlined in terms of aspects of the Agreement. Some have more responsibilities than others. I am not suggesting that we cannot find a way to resolve these problems. I acknowledge, however, the difficulties that are placed in our way at present because of a number of scenarios, including the outcome of the elections. To suggest there is a facile agreement available on the basis of one issue being dealt with is not correct. It will require efforts to be made by everybody concerned. Every party and both Governments will have to stretch to resolve this problem, but I acknowledge, as the Taoiseach did in his interaction with the Leaders of the Opposition earlier today, that the question of putting arms beyond use must move beyond contact with de Chastelain commission to effective engagement which will instil public confidence. That is the issue. How that will occur, or if it will occur in time to meet the political requirements of the situation as it is now unfolding, has yet to be determined. The Taoiseach was clear in his analysis of the situation and I do not wish to repeat what he said.
The first past the post system brings about more stark results than a proportional representation system. If the UUP got 1,200 extra votes in one constituency and 200 or fewer extra in another, everyone would have regarded the outcome as an outstanding achievement by the Ulster Unionist Party. The first past the post sys tem by definition can, in a three way race, technically bring about, a 34% or 35% vote, which would provide a seat to the winner in that context. I would have no objection to the proportional representation system being extended to Westminster elections in Northern Ireland. Whether that would be possible, feasible or agreeable to a British Government is a matter for it to decide. I take the point that the PR system ends up with more representative results in that respect.
The time allocated for this question has concluded.
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle—
I had to rule out a supplementary question by the Deputy's colleague, Deputy O'Keeffe, and in the interests of equity in the House we have to move on.
Are we out of time for dealing with priority questions?
That is correct, six minutes was allocated for taking this question.
Can I not ask even one supplementary question?
We are out of time for dealing with priority questions. As the Deputy will appreciate stricter rules apply as only one minute is allowed for the questioner and one minute for the reply after the initial reply for which two minutes is allowed.