In my reply to Question No. 197 on 3 March I indicated that the Government "availed of all opportunities to advocate the principle and practice of partnership politics" in Northern Ireland. I also said that I had asked my officials to "closely monitor the situation in Lisburn City Council and to keep me informed of all relevant developments", particularly in the context of its annual general meeting in June. Since then my officials have closely monitored the situation, including through contacts with nationalist public representatives on the council, and have kept me informed of developments.
The question of an Irish Government official attending last week's AGM was considered in the light of whether such attendance would be conducive to the achievement of partnership politics. It was decided that attendance could give rise to unhelpful controversy rather than positively contribute to a power sharing outcome. Nevertheless, in the immediate aftermath of the AGM, my officials contacted Sinn Féin and SDLP public representatives and were briefed on the outcome.
I am disappointed that the AGM did not result in any demonstrable progress towards the achievement of a power sharing dispensation on the council. We will continue to monitor developments and to avail of all opportunities to constructively encourage the operation of partnership politics on the council.
