Vol. 571 No. 2
152 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects that the North-South independent consultative forum promised in the Good Friday Agreement will be established, especially having regard to the fact that the fifth anniversary of the agreement has passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21083/03]
The Good Friday Agreement provided that consideration be given to the establishment of an independent consultative forum appointed by the two administrations, North and South, and representative of civil society on the island.
At the fourth plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council, which took place in Armagh on 28 June 2002, an outline structure for the forum was agreed by the council. This involves a twice yearly conference, alternating between North and South and comprising representatives of civil society on the island. The planning and organisation of the first conference would be undertaken by a steering committee drawn from the Northern Ireland Civic Forum and the social partners in the South. The steering committee would also invite representatives from a range of relevant organisations, North and South, to participate in the conferences.
The valuable contribution of the social partners to North-South partnership through a range of agreed actions and objectives is recognised by the Government. Under the new social partnership agreement, the social partners will continue to make this contribution, including through participation in the Independent North-South Consultative Forum, when established.
Some progress had been made on implementing the North-South Ministerial Council decision to establish the forum prior to the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly on 15 October 2002. However, with suspension, further progress was not possible.
The two Governments remain committed to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and, as envisaged in the Joint Declaration published on 1 May, it is our intention that the consultative forum will be established as soon as possible once the institutions are restored.
