asked the Taoiseach if he will be seeking to make progress on the devolution objectives provided for in Article 4 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement at his forthcoming Heads of Government meeting with Mrs. Thatcher; his views on devolution as a means of getting the Unionists involved in the current Anglo-Irish process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with British Prime Minister.
1.
It is not the practice to outline the subjects to be discussed at such meetings. The Deputy will be aware that Article 4 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement provides that the Intergovernmental Conference shall be a framework within which the Irish Government may put forward views and proposals on devolution in Northern Ireland, in so far as they relate to the interests of the minority community.
While I can accept that the Taoiseach cannot state what he will be raising at his forthcoming meeting with Mrs. Thatcher, I would like to know his Government's views on the issue of devolution which is provided for in the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Does he agree with the objective of devolution as a means of making progress now in the North in the context of the Anglo-Irish Agreement?
I would prefer not to go into those areas at present. As the Deputy is aware, there is a fairly fluid situation in the North at present following the recent general election and I would prefer if the Deputy did not press me on issues of that kind at the moment.
Has the Taoiseach an open mind on the issue of devolution as a means of getting Unionists involved in the political process in the North in the wake of the Anglo-Irish Agreement?
I repeat that I would not wish to comment on any possible or likely developments at this stage.
The Taoiseach mentioned Article 4 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement which provides for the Irish Government to put forward views and proposals on the modalities for devolution. Have the Government framed or are they putting forward any modalities for devolution in the North?
Not immediately.