Vol. 436 No. 4
2 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his visit to Derry on 19 November, 1993, and the discussions he had during the visit with the SDLP Leader, Mr. John Hume, and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew.
On 19 November last, I had the pleasure of participating in a conference organised by the North-West Region Cross Border Group which has as its objective the development of a strategy for growth in the region, building on its strengths.
The Government is very conscious of the need to maximise growth throughout this island through an integrated approach to development and through close economic co-operation. To this end, a common chapter appears in the development plans for both Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The North-West Region Cross Border Study Group is an excellent example of this kind of integrated, co-operative approach and reflects the dynamism and hard work of the communities involved. For that reason, the Government is happy to give the group every assistance possible.
The North-West Region Cross Border Group brings together four local authorities — Derry City Council, Donegal County Council, Limavady Borough Council and Strabane District Council — and a population of 280,000 people in a development strategy for growth in this region.
The development strategy consists of two core elements: identifying and building on shared strengths, in particular those which exist on both sides of the Border; and overcoming peripherality and creating outward vision. The group has set itself a comprehensive agenda for development of natural resources, tourism, industry, economic restructuring and overall growth.
The group's secretariat has been funded through the EC INTERREG Programme. It is intended to support the group's work where possible through the round of European Union-funded Operational Programmes 1994-1999.
The conference brought together representatives from a very broad economic, social and political spectrum. In my address to the conference, I stated that the group was contributing in a very concrete way to the wider effort of developing personal contacts and to the breaking down of barriers on this island. I said that the considerable efforts being pursued in the north-west region are an important part of the wider co-operative process, and that the foundations are in place for a substantial deepening of North-South co-operation. The current search for peace, if successful, could make the biggest contribution of all both to the quality of life on this island and to economic prospects.
While attending the conference, I took the opportunity for brief informal discussions about the peace process with other participants, notably the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Patrick Mayhew, and the leader of the SDLP, Mr. John Hume.
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply and welcome the fact that he participated in that event because I also believe that the development of North-South economic relations is very important in the development of peace and security on both sides of the Border. Was the Taoiseach aware of the contacts between the British Government and the IRA at the time of his discussions on the peace process with Sir Patrick Mayhew and John Hume? Was he aware of the extent of the contacts? Did John Major brief the Taoiseach on his contacts with the IRA during the period of those contacts? Also, is the process in which John Major is engaged with the IRA part of the peace process about which the Taoiseach has spoken on numerous occasions during past months?
There are specific questions on the Order Paper in relation to the meeting with the British premier.
I appreciate that, but as the Taoiseach stated he discussed the peace process with Sir Patrick Mayhew, the Northern Ireland Secretary, and the Leader of the SDLP, John Hume, I believe my question is in order.
Unfortunately, on the morning of the meeting in question there was a leak to the Irish Press and that was the focus of attention at a conference which should have been about North-South economic co-operation, the subject which the four councils involved wanted to discuss. That is what they wanted Sir Patrick Mayhew, John Hume, myself and others to focus our attention on at the conference. Deputy De Rossa will appreciate that the focus of attention was not where it should have been.
I had a very brief discussion with Sir Patrick Mayhew, who had to leave shortly after making his address to the conference to attend another engagement. The basis of our discussion was the peace initiative taking place and he brought me up to date on progress in that area. Other Ministers were to discuss the matter with him and others in the following week. Undoubtedly, I will receive a report on those discussions.
As regards any meetings or contracts the British Government has had with Sinn Fein or the IRA, that is a matter for them. I am not going to get involved in any discussion but I should say, in response to Deputy De Rossa, that it did not form part of my peace initiative with the British Prime Minister.
I had more time to discuss the matter with John Hume. As I said on a number of occasions in the House, John Hume brought the Government up to date with an evaluation following the suspension of his talks with Gerry Adams. I said at the time that there were elements in those talks which, if developed, could make a contribution towards the building of a peace process. I also said that other inputs were required and, in keeping with his own statement, that the two Governments should take the initiative and progress it. That is the process we have been involved in since then. Indeed, John Hume and I discussed it in Derry on the day of the conference.
Deputy J. Bruton rose.
I merely alert Members to the need to deal with as many of the Questions to the Taoiseach as possible having regard to the time limit involved. I shall be going on to priority questions shortly after 3 p.m.
The Taoiseach referred to the leak of a confidential document which had been circulated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Will he include the leaker of this document among the maligned forces who are seeking to derail the peace process to which he referred elsewhere? Has anyone yet owned up to this leak? Does he expect the inquiry will be successful and when does he expect it to conclude? Will it include those to whom the Official Secrets Act does not apply, namely Ministers and others who are not civil servants? Is the Taoiseach satisfied that everybody is making all the necessary efforts to bring the person to justice?
Like Deputy Bruton, and every Member of this House, I deplore the leak of official documents, especially in a sensitive area at a sensitive time — not that I would advocate leaks at any time — as it has the effect of feulling fears and uncertainty in the Unionist community. Indeed, we discovered during the weekend that there has been another leak in another Government area. I should say that this is unhelpful to the process in which we are engaged. In relation to the investigation of the leak the Deputy may take it that it is being carried out at full speed and with the normal efficiency of the Garda Síochána under Detective Superintendent Jim McHugh. They know better than the Deputy or I how to investigate any leak. I have no doubt that it will be difficult to establish the source. Let us hope that we establish its source and identify the person concerned.
The Deputy may take it from me, on behalf of the Government, that we will take the appropriate action if the Garda report that the person has been discovered. This has been an undesirable development in recent times and has been distinctly unhelpful to pushing ahead with the peace process. However, I do not think the Governments can afford to let people who have an interest in slowing, postponing or undermining the peace initiative to take the initiative and it is up to both Governments to rise above this and not to be blown off course by the actions of such people.
Deputy J. Bruton Rose.
I was hoping to come to Question No. 3 at this stage, especially having regard to the time factor involved.
This is a simple question. Does the Garda inquiry include Ministers and others who are not bound by the Official Secrets Act?
I have set no boundaries to the Garda investigation and I have no intention of doing so. The Garda will be free to investigate the matter in whatever way they feel is necessary. Certainly every person that they wish to interview can be interviewed, from myself down.
May I ask the Taoiseach a question?
Certainly, Deputy but I am anxious to dispose of all the Taoiseach's questions today, if possible, within the time limit.
Does the Taoiseach agree that the main activity, so far as the peace process is concerned, seems to be taking place between the British Government and the Provisional IRA and that to a large extent the Government has been sidelined in this process? Second, was the Taoiseach accompanied by his special adviser on Northern Ireland affairs during his visit to Derry last week?
I was accompanied to Derry by a number of people, including my special adviser. In relation to the peace initiative I do not consider that the Government has been sidelined. As I said, it is not a matter for me to comment on what actions the British Government may take in having discussions or receiving communications from Sinn Fein or the Provisional IRA; this is a matter for them. We want to progress the peace initiative. In this regard I hope to be in touch with the British Prime Minister later this evening. As the House will appreciate, we need some time to evaluate all the revelations and the events that have taken place during the past few days to see what effect this may have on the initiative. Let us hope that at the end of the day we will find a way to progress it to a successful conclusion. That would be the wish of everybody in this House and throughout the length and breadth of the country.
