Vol. 485 No. 1
33 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the outcome of the plenary talks session in Belfast between 1 and 3 December 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22373/97]
38 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the current progress in the Northern Ireland talks; and the expected timetable for subsequent phases of the talks. [22360/97]
40 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration, if any, which has been given to the arrangements for validation of the overall agreement arising out of all party negotiations on the peace process; the current progress, if any, on the peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22356/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 38 and 40 together. As regards the overall state of the multi-party negotiations, I refer to my answer earlier this afternoon to Question No. 2.
While the issue of validation has to be addressed in the negotiations, in the ground rules, which are the basis of the negotiations, both Governments reaffirmed their intention that the outcome would be submitted to public approval by referendums in Ireland — North and South — before being submitted to our respective Parliaments for ratification and the earliest possible implementation.
