Finian McGrath
Question:221 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the situation in Northern Ireland and on developments over the summer period. [19758/03]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
Finian McGrath
Question:223 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach the position regarding the talks in the North; and if the maximum efforts will be employed to get elections up and running as soon as possible. [19902/03]
Finian McGrath
Question:225 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach his views on whether further delays in the elections in the North are undermining further developments in the Peace Process. [20244/03]
Finian McGrath
Question:227 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the continued concerns being expressed by many in respect of the postponement of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections; the action he is taking to progress the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20737/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 221, 223, 225 and 227 together.
Over the course of the summer, and particularly over recent weeks, both Governments and the pro-Agreement parties have been working closely together to make the necessary progress to allow for the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland on a sustained basis. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Brian Cowen, and I met Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin on 4 September. I met a delegation from the SDLP led by Mark Durkan on 9 September; Prime Minister Blair at Chequers on 13 September, and David Trimble on 15 September. All parties are agreed on the need to redouble our efforts in the coming weeks to build on the groundwork that was done in March and April in order that we can make the necessary progress for elections that will result in a stable, working Executive. The good summer has had a settling effect on the situation generally since last May we have been proceeding with the implementation of the joint declaration in so far as we could and the independent monitoring commission can play an important role in building confidence on all sides. Both Prime Minister Blair and I are determined to work jointly with the parties to get back to a position where we have the Executive and Assembly working effectively. The political parties, Nationalist and Unionist, are facing key challenges and I welcome the recent engagement between Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party which I hope will help those parties address the challenges facing them. Peace and a stable political environment are only possible on the basis of equality and inclusion. David Trimble recognises this and I commend his determination in the face of sustained opposition.
Republicans have to fully embrace the reality that inclusive government is only sustainable on the basis of a democratic mandate alone and paramilitary activity must be put in the past. I believe that we must now make the necessary progress as quickly as possible.