Vol. 492 No. 5
18 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the proposals, if any, the Government has for the future of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in the context of the implementation of the Belfast Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13404/98]
19 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the recent meetings he has had in relation to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13693/98]
20 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the President of Sinn Féin, Mr Gerry Adams. [14146/98]
21 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting in Dublin with the Unites States Secretary of Commerce. [14445/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 21, inclusive, together. I am keeping an open mind in respect of the future of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. It could be held that with regard to the provisions of the British-Irish Agreement, including those relating to the civic forum in Northern Ireland, the possible North-South consultative forum, and the inter-parliamentary links for which it provides, it would be appropriate to bring the proceedings of the forum to an orderly close following a final meeting. This will have to be considered by all parties to the forum and, at this stage, it would be prudent to keep the matter under review in light of the evolution of events.
I had a positive meeting with the US Secretary of Commerce, Mr. William Daley, on 11 June. I expressed the Government's appreciation to Mr. Daley for leading such a high level delegation of US business interests to Northern Ireland and the Border counties. In my meeting with Mr. Gerry Adams we discussed recent developments, including forthcoming parades and, more generally, the implementation of the British-Irish Agreement.
I have had a wide range of meetings relating to Northern Ireland recently, including those on which I reported extensively in recent weeks. I do not propose to go into detail on every meeting I have had. However, I assure the House that all of my meetings are aimed at finding the best way forward to secure an effective and successful implementation of the provisions of the agreement.
Will the Taoiseach give serious consideration to the continuation of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, given the valuable work in which it was engaged at the time it was adjourned? A number of the reports on which its sub-groups were working have not been completed? It would be beneficial to society in the Republic if we continued to examine those issues and aspects of society which need to be reformed. This would make the Republic a more tolerant and open society.
The best approach I can take is to consult the various groups and obtain their views. In the interim, the benefit of the reports that were finalised are evident and have been referred to on many occasions. I asked some time ago that work should be brought to a conclusion on reports which have not been completed. I understand this work is under way.
Did the Taoiseach discuss bilateral US-Irish trade relations or updating our copyright legislation with the Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Daley? Was the issue of Helms-Burton discussed?
He did not raise the copyright legislation, but I have discussed it with American officials on a number of occasions. Our discussion, which was lengthy, centred mainly on trying to bring further investment to the Border region. He spent the best part of a day in Sligo where he met many groups from different Border counties. We emphasised the importance of investment and a positive attitude by the Americans, especially the Commerce Department, to opportunities and enticements. He was accompanied by a number of senior business figures who either have investments here or are interested in investing in Europe.
With regard to the copyright legislation, we have satisfied the Americans in the shorter term. However, we must deal with longer term legislation, which will be before the House shortly.
The Taoiseach indicated he met Mr. Gerry Adams, when the parades issue was discussed. Did he impress on Mr. Adams the importance of avoiding confrontation and conflict over parades in Northern Ireland and of his party and all other parties in Northern Ireland encouraging their members and supporters to avoid such conflict and to do everything possible to seek a resolution of situations where there is likely to be conflict?
I met Mr. Gerry Adams a few weeks ago and raised the matter referred to by the Deputy. I have made it clear that if we are to deal with the marching issue we must have engagement, balance and compromise to make progress in the difficult months and marches ahead. It is impossible for people on any side to get their way on everything. If they take account of the useful work of the parades commission, enter dialogue, try to take a balanced view and compromise in some areas we will successfully get through the period ahead.
What response did the Taoiseach receive from Mr. Adams?
We discussed the parades issue generally. To the best of my knowledge Mr. Adams and others have been doing all they can. Some of his party members were helpful in trying to de-escalate the trouble of a few weeks ago. They did all they could to prevent the situation from becoming nasty. I hope people on all sides will continue with such efforts and, most importantly, will be careful about what they say.
