Northern Ireland Issues.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004

Wednesday, 3 March 2004

Questions (126)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

197 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the continuing refusal of the Ulster Unionist Party and Democratic Unionist Party representatives on Lisburn City Council to accommodate any measure of power-sharing on that authority, their continuing exclusion of the Sinn Féin, SDLP and Alliance Party representatives from all positions on that body and on external bodies; if the Government has raised this corrosive practice with the British Prime Minister or the Northern Secretary of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7111/04]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

In recent years, power-sharing arrangements have increasingly become the norm across local authorities in Northern Ireland. The current practices within Lisburn City Council are a regrettable departure from this encouraging trend.

Partnership politics represents the way forward in Northern Ireland, both in regard to the operation of the devolved institutions and local government. In its contacts with the British Government and with the political parties in Northern Ireland, the Government has availed of all opportunities to advocate the principle and practice of partnership politics and we will continue to do so.

Furthermore, I have asked officials to continue to closely monitor the situation in Lisburn City Council and to keep me informed of all relevant developments, particularly in the context of the annual general meeting of the council, due to take place in the summer. I hope the outcome of that meeting will represent progress towards a power-sharing dispensation on Lisburn City Council.