Bertie Ahern
Ceist:2 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the future role he envisages for the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. [8065/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forum for Peace and Reconciliation.
Mary Harney
Ceist:3 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach the composition of the Government's negotiating team for the forthcoming all-party negotiations commencing on 10 June, 1996. [8113/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
A decision on the composition of the Government's delegation for the all-party negotiations commencing on 10 June will be taken in due course.
The Government is satisfied that these negotiations provide an unrivalled opportunity for an historical political compromise. This opportunity is provided by the comprehensive and balanced ground rules for the talks which this Government agreed with the British Government. All the key principles to ensure a successful outcome are in place and overall, the ground rules paper for these talks is a significant advance on the basis for the 1991-92 talks. Never before did any Government get a fixed date for fully inclusive all-party negotiations on such a comprehensive basis.
Regarding the future role of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, this is a matter for the participants to determine by agreement. The Forum remains in being, but its chairperson has concluded, in line with the preponderant view among the 12 participating delegations, that its meetings should be deferred. This decision by its chairperson was consistent with the basis on which the Forum was set up, namely the existence of an IRA ceasefire and the fact that its terms of reference specify that all differences be resolved by exclusively peaceful and democratic means.
The chairperson, in her consultations with delegations, also noted a strong wish among all those participating to see those conditions restored. I share this wish and hope. While the primary axis of progress is now the all-party talks commencing on 10 June, the Government remains open to any role for the Forum that might be seen to be appropriate in the light of the evolving situation.
I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the outstanding contribution to the peace process made by Judge Catherine McGuinness through her skilful and inclusive chairing of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation.
I too pay tribute to Judge Catherine McGuinness on the tremendous work of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. While I am aware of its terms of reference, would the Taoiseach agree that we could find ourselves in the absurd position in which a new forum would be established in the North, framed on the basis of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation held in Dublin Castle, in which Sinn Féin can participate? Regardless of what decision the IRA may take, whether or not its ceasefire is reinstated, it can participate in that new forum whereas the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation cannot meet under any condition.
Apart from the views of any participants in the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, would the Taoiseach agree that, in the absence of other initiatives, there is a strong case for it to meet in extraordinary session, having already engaged in some very useful discussions over the past 18 months or so, to ascertain whether it can do anything to assist and advance the peace process?
My predecessor was very clear in his decision not to establish a Forum for Peace and Reconciliation involving Sinn Féin until there was in place a complete cessation of IRA violence. That was the basis on which the Forum was established by him, with my agreement as then Leader of the Opposition. Its terms of reference, which may not be changed without the agreement of all its participants, are absolutely clear — that differences should not be resolved by the methods used at Canary Wharf, that there ought to be a complete cessation of IRA violence. It is important that we in this House should be very clear on this matter. There is no halfway house between peace and violence; there is no halfway house between democracy and coercion. It is very important that the message going from this House should be a simple one —"We want you in the forum; we want you in the talks; please restore the ceasefire".
My party believes that, until such time as the IRA ceasefire is restored, there is no point in the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation meeting since it was established to provide a democratic platform for Sinn Féin once the ceasefire had been announced. Since the ceasefire has not been restored, I do not believe its reinstatement would be worthwhile. Having said that, will the Taoiseach say if, in relation to the composition of the Government team, all three parties in Government will be represented?
Decisions have not been taken on that matter and the Government operates collectively in regard to this policy area. It would be my expectation, on the basis of Members' contributions, that all of the parties in Government would be represented but no firm or final decision thereon has yet been taken.
Is the Taoiseach concerned at the contradiction between the terms of reference of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and the new forum proposed by the British Government in that Sinn Féin can participate in the latter without the IRA having restored its ceasefire whereas it cannot participate in the former? Has he expressed such concerns to the British Government?
I believe that the basis on which the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation was established — which was an unambiguous one — was the best basis for its establishment. The Deputy's question is about that Forum. I do not believe my predecessor was wrong in insisting, with the agreement of all the parties in this House, that its terms of reference should include a clear statement that all differences about self-determination and other matters should be resolved by exclusively peaceful and democratic means. I regret to say that I do not include the activities at Canary Wharf or subsequent ones on the part of the IRA as consistent with the terms of reference of that forum. I want to see conditions prevail in which the IRA ceasefire is restored. Once that happens, I believe not only will Sinn Féin be able to take its rightful place in the all-party talks, but that we will then be in a position to resume the full working of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation so that it too can complete its work. That is what is important at this stage.
As far as the forum being established by the British Government in Northern Ireland is concerned, my priority is to begin all-party negotiations on 10 June next; that is what has now been achieved, a fixed date for all-party talks. No such fixed date was obtained before. Deputy Ahern will recollect that there were substantial delays in starting the 1991-92 talks because a fixed date had not been set, whereas there is now a fixed date for the opening of such negotiations. I want everyone there. I want to see Sinn Féin there. I want the IRA to restore its ceasefire.
Given the comments of Dr. Ian Paisley to the effect that his party will not participate in all-party negotiations unless the Northern Ireland forum meets first, is it the Taoiseach's understanding that that forum will meet in advance of all party negotiations?
The British and Irish Governments have agreed that negotiations will start on 10 June next. That is a clear engagement between the Government to which Dr. Paisley gives loyalty and this one.
The two Governments have agreed that talks will start on 10 June and they will.
The Taoiseach did not answer my question. Does he think the forum should meet in advance of those talks?
The talks should start first.