Vol. 571 No. 2
193 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the prospects for political progress in Northern Ireland and the early holding of assembly elections, based on his recent contact with political parties in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21079/03]
In the past few weeks I have met a number of the pro-Agreement parties, including the UUP, the SDLP, Sinn Féin and the Alliance. In addition, my officials have been in recent contact with the PUP and the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition and we hope to meet these parties at political level in the very near future. In all of these contacts, the Government has stressed the need for early elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The two Governments and the pro-Agreement parties are working to create the conditions for elections to take place in an atmosphere that will allow the earliest possible restoration of the devolved institutions. Such a positive atmosphere would require the key outstanding issues of confidence to be satisfactorily addressed.
As the Taoiseach has stated, this means that the republican movement must make it clear to all concerned that paramilitary activity is at an end for good. At the same time, Unionists must reassure Nationalists that they are fully committed to all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and that they will participate in a full and sustained way. There is a relatively short period of time available to achieve these objectives and we are determined to intensify work in the coming weeks. I will continue to meet and maintain contact with all the parties in the days and weeks ahead. However, in the final analysis, the prospects for success are dependent on the willingness and ability of the relevant parties to take the steps that are required to give each other the mutual confidence that is necessary to move the process forward. It is important to remember that the Good Friday Agreement was a collective endeavour and all of the pro-Agreement parties have, therefore, an important contribution to make in ensuring its sustainability.
Question No. 194 answered with Question No. 163.
