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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 1

Ceisteanna – Questions. Priority Questions. - Northern Ireland Issues.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

1 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the prospect of political progress in Northern Ireland following the recent elections and the difficulties faced by pro-Agreement parties. [30574/03]

The people of Northern Ireland have now spoken, and the Government respects the mandates the parties have received. I congratulate those who have been returned with increased mandates and I commiserate with those parties which have lost seats. All of the outgoing Assembly Members have made a contribution to political progress. Many of them have consistently and courageously promoted dialogue, partnership and reconciliation, often in challenging circumstances. I hope they will remain active in public life and continue to offer their service and experience for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland.

It is important to recognise that more than 70% of those elected are from pro-Agreement parties. All of the parties have stated in their election manifestos that they wish to see a stable political process and want to see devolved government work. This in itself, despite the differing perspectives, is an encouraging signal.

In the past week, the Taoiseach and I had meetings with Sinn Féin and the SDLP to explore the options for a way forward. Our key priority is to secure a sustainable basis on which the Assembly can be restored and the Executive quickly established. In the coming days and weeks, it is our intention to continue our intensive engagement with all of the parties in Northern Ireland. As already signalled by the Taoiseach, that invitation includes the DUP. I will continue in my ongoing contacts with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and hope to meet him again when the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, meet in London next week to review progress in the light of our contacts with the political parties.

As provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, and in accordance with a commitment contained in the joint declaration, the two Governments have now jointly written to the parties in the Assembly seeking their views on the conduct and agenda of the four-year review of the Agreement. As has been stressed by the two Governments, this review will examine the operation of the Agreement. It will not renegotiate its fundamentals.

Both Governments will also continue, through the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, to take forward the implementation of the range of commitments outlined in the joint declaration. In addition, the various all-island implementation bodies continue to exercise their important public functions and the British-Irish Council continues to operate, and met on 28 November at summit level in Cardiff.

I thank the Minister for his reply. I join him in wishing those who were elected well and commiserating with those who have lost their seats and have given such public service.

With a view to making political progress in Northern Ireland and on the island generally, would the Minister agree that those whose loved ones died in the Monaghan and Dublin bombings deserve truth and justice? In pursuing that we should not correct an injustice by doing another injustice to the reputations of others by denigrating them when their duty was to ensure that the terrible turmoil that happened in Northern Ireland, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, did not spill over into the South.

In that regard, would the Minister agree that it would help the process if the Barron report and the output of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights were to be the first tranche of a truth and reconciliation commission examination? If such a truth and reconciliation commission were established it could go on to hold hearings about the atrocities at Omagh, La Mon and Enniskillen. It might have more success than a public inquiry, which might not reach conclusions. A truth and reconciliation commission with powers to grant amnesty and recommend compensation might allow for everybody involved over the 30 year period to render an account, make amends where appropriate and seek forgiveness. This in turn might being closure and advance the peace process.

Has the Minister given any consideration to such a truth and reconciliation commission along the lines of that which operated so well in South Africa? Would he see merit in considering such a proposal as a means of dealing with the various issues and bringing them to closure?

I have not given detailed consideration to establishing such a commission. As envisaged under the Good Friday Agreement, the implementation group has been discussing ways and means in which the victims of violence can be acknowledged and helped under the process of peace and reconciliation.

I welcome the publication of the Barron report, which I hope will go some way to giving answers to the families of those killed and injured in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. As the Deputy is aware, the Barron report has been referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights for consideration and I do not want to pre-empt the work of the committee by commenting further at this stage. The committee will report back to the Dáil and Seanad within three months with its findings on whether the Barron report addresses all the issues covered in the inquiry's terms of reference, the lessons to be drawn, any actions to be taken in light of the report and whether a public inquiry into any aspects of the report would be required or fruitful.

I thank the Minister for his reply. Perhaps he might give some consideration to the idea in due course. Arising from the recent elections, does the Minister envisage there will be an Executive in Northern Ireland this side of St. Patrick's Day?

Both Governments are committed to seeing if such a prospect is available to us. We all know that the best outcome for all the people of Northern Ireland is for the Good Friday Agreement to work in all its aspects. The institutions are the democratic core of the Agreement. In his public comments the Taoiseach has outlined that under the paragraph 8 review, we are anxious to see if, in conjunction with the British Government, we can find a basis consistent with the objectives and aims of the Agreement to proceed with the establishment of all of the institutions, which would be in the interest of the people.

As I said, more than 70% of the people voted for parties that support the Agreement. We respect the mandates of all parties and I am encouraged by some public comments made in the aftermath of the elections in which people seem to be exploring how they can constructively engage within the framework of a paragraph 8 review. In recognising the mandates, I hope there can be a full recognition of the responsibilities that are now thrust upon us all to make this work consistent with the Agreement that was endorsed by the people on both sides of the Border in 1998.

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