Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 1

Written Answers. - Meeting with US Ambassador.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

31 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters discussed at his recent meeting with the US Special Ambassador, Richard Haass; if he will support the call made by Ambassador Haass for Sinn Féin to join the Policing Board in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3759/02]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen):

Since his appointment by President Bush as Ambassador-at-large with overall responsibility for Ireland last year, Ambassador Haass and I have met on a number of occasions, including in the United States. The Ambassador's most recent visit to Ireland was on 15 January. We had a wide-ranging discussion on international issues of mutual interest. In particular, I took the opportunity to express the Government's appreciation for the ongoing support of President Bush and the US Administration for the peace process and to brief Ambassador Haass on recent developments, including the Government's concern about the deteriorating security situation in north Belfast and the progress made in implementing the Patten recommendations on policing.

On 16 January, Ambassador Haass also met with the Policing Board and afterwards expressed the hope that Sinn Féin would reconsider its position and appoint members to the board. This is also the firm view of the Government.

The Government believes that, following the progress made at Weston Park on policing and the publication of the revised implementation plan, the basis now exists for realising the new beginning to policing envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement. The decision of the SDLP to support these arrangements and nominate members to the Policing Board was a significant and very positive development. The Government also welcomed the decisions of the two main Unionist parties to nominate members to the board. Everyone should now give their support to the new policing arrangements and to the new police service. We hope that, in time, Sinn Féin will find it possible to participate in the new policing structures.

Question No. 32 answered with Question No. 22.