16 Jan 2014, 16:58
The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement this morning heard calls for the urgent reestablishment of the Northern Ireland Civic Forum to bridge the gap between community and civil society and the political process.
16 January 2014
The Civic Forum, which was provided for under the Good Friday Agreement, was envisaged to act as a consultative mechanism to the Northern Ireland Assembly on social, economic and cultural issues.
Chairman of the Committee Joe McHugh TD says: “A Civic Forum provided for in the Agreement, would comprise business, agriculture, trade union and voluntary sectors inputting into the legislative process in Stormont. This morning we heard SDLP representatives make an impassioned plea to our Committee on the urgent need for such formal civic engagement, with a North/South dimension.
“Civil society groups have an indispensable contribution to make in securing peace and prosperity for Northern Ireland. The Committee believes the relatively modest Forum costs would represent a worthwhile investment relative to the huge costs being incurred in administering and policing a deeply fractured society. While the Committee expressed disappointment in the outcome of the talks, it believes the 600 submissions received by Dr Haass and his team from across civil society in Northern Ireland demonstrates the appetite for public engagement. We believe it presents a window of opportunity that needs to be grasped.
“The SDLP representatives spoke of the huge gulf that exists between much of Northern Ireland society and the political establishment. The Committee agreed to write to An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore TD requesting that the Irish Government, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement presses for the realisation of this important body.\"
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
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, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Michael P Kitt, Joe McHugh (Chair), Joe O’Reilly (Vice-Chair), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Brendan Smith, Joanna Tuffy and Jack Wall
Senators: Maurice Cummins (Leader of the House), Jim D’Arcy, Mary Moran and Mary White