Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
828. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the re-establishment of the civic forum as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24475/16]
View answerA number of elements of the Good Friday Agreement have not yet been fully implemented, including the establishment of a consultative Civic Forum in Northern Ireland. The Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement, the St. Andrew’s Agreement and subsequent agreements, must be implemented in full. The Agreements, as well as the principles and values underpinning them, are at the core of the Government’s approach to peace, reconciliation and prosperity on this island.Responsibility for establishing the Civic Forum lies with the Northern Ireland Executive as outlined in the Good Friday Agreement. In addressing this commitment, the Stormont House Agreement provided for the establishment of a civic advisory panel. The purpose of this panel will be to ensure that civic voices are heard, and civic views are considered, in relation to key social, cultural and economic issues. Work on this was advanced through the regular NI Executive Party Leaders’ meetings on implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements. At the last quarterly implementation and review meeting of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements held in Belfast on 29 June 2016, the Executive advised that membership of the panel is currently under consideration and that a decision is expected shortly.
The Government will continue to support the early establishment by the Executive of the civic advisory panel, which will allow for stronger representation of civil society voices in policy formation in Northern Ireland.
