asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made any progress in setting up a framework for talks with the Unionists outside, but parallel to the Anglo-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unionist Talks Framework.
3.
The Government have repeatedly made clear their desire to engage, without preconditions, in dialogue with Unionist representatives and, as the Deputy is aware, the Taoiseach has on a number of occasions publicly invited the Unionist leadership to meet with him. As the Taoiseach said in the House on 1 February last, the Government will be glad to inform the House as soon as there are any positive developments to report in this regard.
My specific question was if the Minister had made any progress in setting up a framework for such talks. Am I to understand that no such progress has been made?
There is an ongoing framework in the form of an invitation to dialogue to Unionist representatives or anybody else who may wish to have political dialogue with the Taoiseach or the Government, and the Taoiseach has publicly invited Unionist leadership along those lines on several occasions. I do not see what can be done further than that.
I understand that the Anglo-Irish Inter-Governmental Council is meeting today. Has any consideration been given to the proposal put forward by the Progressive Democrats that the Anglo-Irish Inter-Governmental Council be used as a framework for such talks outside of the Anglo-Irish Agreement?
That framework or any framework outside the Conference and the Agreement is open to the talks I mentioned. The Deputy is aware of that. As long as the Conference and the Agreement continue to function and to subsist any other discussions outside that Conference framework are welcomed by the Government.