2 May 2013, 10:13
A delegation from the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement travels to Belfast today (Thursday 2 May) and tomorrow (Friday 3 May) for a wide-ranging series of meetings with community groups, residents associations, political and church leaders, representatives from the Parades Commission, the British-Irish Joint Secretariat and local dignitaries. (View programme below)
The purpose of the trip is to build on the on-going engagement of the Committee with community groups on the ground in Northern Ireland and the border region.
Chairman of the Committee Joe McHugh TD says: "Over the course of two days, our Committee hopes to continue our engagement with those at the vanguard of promoting reconciliation, tolerance and mutual respect between communities in Northern Ireland. As a cross party committee in Leinster House, which also comprises MPs from Northern Ireland, we are a unique forum in which to advance the concerns at grass roots level in Northern Ireland and the border region.
"We are acutely aware of the legacy of the conflict, and how this weighs disproportionately on working class areas in Northern Ireland. Our programme is heavily focused on engaging with community groups in those areas of both traditions. We are scheduled to meet a cross section of community activists and residents groups in West Belfast today. Having followed the recent flag protests in Belfast with deep concern, we look forward to engaging with community groups in East Belfast who played a key role in mediating in the protests."
"As a Committee we remain concerned that some aspects of the Good Friday Agreement remain outstanding and have committed to exploring how best to provide a pathway to overcome these constitutional challenges. The meetings in the coming days have been structured to support and nurture the peace process on this island both at grass roots and at a political level."
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Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Peter Fitzpatrick, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, Peter Fitzpatrick, Michael P. Kitt, Joe McHugh, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Joe O'Reilly, Brendan Smith and Joanna Tuffy.
Senators Jim D'Arcy, Maurice Cummins, Mary Moran, Mary White.
Chairman: Joe McHugh, TD Vice-Chairman: Joe O'Reilly, TD
Thursday, 2 May 2013
10.15 am - Meetings with Community Groups in Falls Community Council
1.15 pm Lunch in Church House, Belfast with Church Leaders
2.30 pm Meetings with various Residents Associations
Friday, 3 May 2013
9.00 am Meeting with Anthony Carleton, Commission Secretary, Parades Commission
10.00 am Meetings with the Inner East Forum in the Skainos Centre, including engagement with young people on education and training
12.45 pm Lunch with local political represents in the Skainos Centre
2.00 pm Depart Skainos Centre