Ray Burke
Ceist:19 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, at his next meeting with the Unionist Party leadership, he will urge them to join the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body. [1156/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body.
I am sure that Members on all sides agree that the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body makes a valuable contribution to increased understanding and co-operation in these islands and that its proceedings would benefit from participation by the Unionist parties.
Regrettably, the Unionists have not yet taken up the seats available to them. Successive Irish Governments have strongly supported the work of the inter-parliamentary body since its establishment in February 1990 and they have also made clear that Unionist participation would be warmly welcomed. Most recently, at his meeting with Mr. Trimble and an Ulster Unionist Party delegation on 2 October 1995 the Taoiseach raised the question of Unionist participation. I understand that on the British side of the inter-parliamentary body there is a similar desire to see the Unionists participate and that this has been conveyed in appropriate ways.
I have not discussed the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body with Mr. Trimble but should a suitable opportunity arise in my future contacts with him I would be happy to do so and to encourage his party to participate in the body. I add that I am ready to convey the same view to Dr. Paisley and his colleagues in the Democratic Unionist Party.
The Tánaiste could leave a message on his answering machine. Will he strongly urge the Unionists to take part in the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body? As the Unionists are continually urging us to view relations in a British Isles context, will the Tánaiste agree it would be logical for them to take part in that body?
Having participated in the interparliamentary body as a member of its steering committee when established, I am a firm advocate and supporter of it. It would be in the interests of the body politic, Anglo-Irish relations, developing relations between the North and the South and in the interests of Unionist parties if they were to participate with us in it. I cannot see any reason for their objecting to it or any reason to sustain their objection. I would encourage them in the strongest possible terms to participate in it. I would be happy to discuss it with them and, if possible, show them the benefits and merits their membership would provide.
Will the Tánaiste urge the Secretary of State not to establish a new Northern Ireland committee at Westminster at least until the Unionists decide to take part in the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body?
The question of a Northern Ireland committee is one for the British Government. The Deputy will be aware of a select committee set up a few years ago which has got on with its work and has not unduly disturbed or bothered anybody. Irrespective of that, the case for Unionists participating in the interparliamentary body is over-whelming and we will take every opportunity possible to encourage them to do so.
At a time when we are all trying to bring about greater understanding between both communities in the North, will the Tánaiste agree that Nationalists might be more sympathetic to the Unionist idea of an elected body in the North if Unionists were to take part in the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body?
As I said in reply to an earlier question, I do not believe anybody has anything to fear from dialogue. The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation offers a forum for dialogue, exchange of views and breaking down some of the mistrust and bitterness that exists on this island as a legacy of history. In that respect I encourage the Unionists to get involved in any appropriate body and these two are very suitable for that purpose.