Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2004
4 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he has held recently with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; the matters to be discussed at the upcoming meetings with Northern parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18938/04]
View answerThe Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Paul Murphy, and I, together with other colleagues, will accompany the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, at meetings in London tomorrow with the parties represented in the Northern Ireland Assembly where we will have the opportunity to collectively consider and review the current political situation in advance of the summer recess.
In my unavoidable absence on EU Presidency business, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, deputised on my behalf at the recent meetings of the review which took place in Belfast and which focused on strands two and three of the Agreement. The British Government was represented by the Secretary of State, Mr. Murphy, at those meetings.
The Secretary of State and I will co-chair the next meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference which is scheduled to take place on 7 July. Items for discussion at that meeting will include a review of political developments, security and criminal justice matters, including paramilitary groups and parades, and electoral and human rights issues. The conference will also include a detailed stock-take of the implementation of the Governments' commitments under the Joint Declaration.
At the last meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, which took place in London on 21 April 2004 and which the Secretary of State and I also co-chaired, we stressed the importance of engagement between all the political parties, including through the review of the operation of the Agreement. Both Governments re-affirmed their commitment to the full operation of all the political institutions of the Agreement, including the early restoration of devolved government on an inclusive basis in Northern Ireland, and the full implementation of the Agreement.
Other issues discussed included progress on the implementation of the non-conditional commitments made in the Joint Declaration, the Cory reports, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the establishment of a forum on the bill of rights for Northern Ireland. The conference also welcomed the peaceful beginning to the marching season.
Is the Minister aware that the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey has found that only 19% of people in Northern Ireland feel that they have fared badly under direct rule? Does that indicate that people in Northern Ireland do not want to rush back to power sharing at any price and it is time now that we secured a power sharing Executive in Northern Ireland without people who have an army? Does the Minister agree that there is a feeling among the public on this side of the Border that it is not necessarily a great objective for the sake of Northern Ireland, the Republic or these islands to rush to bring the two extremes, the Paisley-led DUP and the Adams-led Provisional Sinn Féin, together in government? Will the Minister use these round table talks to make it clear to Provisional Sinn Féin that if it wants people to bring about this marriage of extremes, it will only come about when the guns are surrendered for once and for all and P. O'Neill is decommissioned?
The Assembly elections threw up a result of which the Governments must take cognisance. Everyone must rise to the responsibilities that result from that election. The people have spoken and we must now provide a context in which everyone can move forward together consistent with the Agreement on the basis of acts of completion that are necessary to redress the deficit of trust and confidence that exists.
Does the Minister agree that it is ironic that the leadership of Sinn Féin is carrying out an investigation into the alleged activities of one of its members when many of its members are involved in activities that are much more horrendous and involve theft, hijacking and corrupt activity, including money laundering for political purposes? Does the Minister share my concerns about this? What steps is he taking to haul Provisional Sinn Féin into the democratic way of life and to make it clear that business will not be done with it unless it takes that step?
In respect of any unlawful activity taking place anywhere at any time, I have full confidence in the efforts of the Garda to bring the people involved to justice. I am trying to bring about an inclusive settlement consistent with the Good Friday Agreement to ensure its potential is realised. If there is sufficient will and determination on all sides, it is possible to achieve that.
