Vol. 565 No. 1
68 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in finalising proposals in relation to the need to have the political institutions restored in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10106/03]
81 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to date in the talks involving the parties in Northern Ireland which he is co-chairing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9859/03]
117 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting on 24 March 2003 with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Paul Murphy. [9858/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 81 and 117 together.
In the past weeks, I have continued to meet regularly with the pro-Agreement parties in Northern Ireland and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Murphy. In these discussions we have addressed a number of issues related to the ongoing efforts to achieve the full implementation of all aspects of the Agreement, including the restoration of the devolved institutions on a sustainable basis. The two Governments intend to present our proposals later this week when the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Blair return to Hillsborough.
Yesterday at Hillsborough, the Taoiseach, along with Prime Minister Blair and President Bush, met with pro-Agreement parties to reiterate the collective commitment of the Governments to the full and complete implementation of the Agreement. We emphasised the need for acts of completion to bring the current political uncertainty to an end and to facilitate a strong and credible pro-Agreement platform for the Assembly elections on 29 May. When the two Governments publish our proposals later this week, I hope that the political parties and civic society in Northern Ireland will be able to endorse and fully support them.
