Gay Mitchell
Ceist:1 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the outcome of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections; and his views on the status of the peace process. [16638/98]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Priority Questions. - Northern Ireland Assembly Elections.
Dick Spring
Ceist:2 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the outcome of the recent Northern Ireland elections; and the steps, if any, he sees as being necessary to advance the situation in accordance with the terms of the British-Irish Agreement. [16641/98]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Last week the people of Northern Ireland got the welcome opportunity to fill the democratic deficit that has existed there with the elections to the 108 seat Northern Assembly. The power and responsibilities of Government will now begin to be transferred from London to the elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland. The elections are the first phase in the establishment of the new institutions to be set up under the British-Irish Agreement, which include the Assembly, the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council.
I very much welcome the successful conclusion of the Assembly elections. The election was keenly fought and I convey my congratulations to the leaders of all the political parties. The people of Northern Ireland have once again come out to demonstrate their support for the Agreement, with three quarters of the seats in the election going to pro-Agreement parties.
The Government looks forward to working constructively with all the political parties elected to the Assembly. The Taoiseach and I have already begun a round of meetings with party leaders to discuss the next steps in implementing the Agreement. Earlier this week meetings were held with the leaders of the SDLP and Sinn Féin. It is hoped to have meetings with the other party leaders in the near future.
Now that the referenda and the election have taken place, the priority must be to continue to move ahead with the full implementation of the Agreement. It remains the responsibility of all the elected Assembly members to make good on the brighter future for all which has been promised by the Agreement. It is incumbent on the representatives to set the standards of trust and partnership which will enable Northern Ireland as a whole to achieve the necessary respect, equality, partnership and mutual accommodation between the two traditions.
We equally hope that all parties will seek to resolve their substantial differences on political issues only within the framework of the agreed democratic arrangements. I call on all those who opposed the Agreement to respect the will of the people who voted comprehensively to see the Agreement and its institutions established and working on their behalf. Yesterday the shadow Assembly met for the first time and elected the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister of the new Northern Ireland Executive. I congratulate all the Members of the Assembly, and particularly Mr. David Trimble and Mr. Séamus Mallon, and wish them every success in the future. We expect the shadow Assembly to take a very early decision after the summer recess on the definition of the ministerial portfolios, thereby clearing the way for the appointment of the shadow Executive.
The Government looks forward to an early meeting with the representatives of the transitional Northern Ireland Executive operating in the shadow North-South Ministerial Council and to working to identify and agree by 31 October at least six implementation bodies to be established, and at least six other areas for future co-operation through existing bodies. It will fall to the two Governments to complete all necessary legislation to enable the implementation bodies to be established on entry into force of the Agreement, which we expect to take place in early 1999.
I join the Minister in wishing well the new First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Assembly in Northern Ireland. When one church is attacked it is hatred but ten such attacks is organised hatred. It is clear on this island that we have a great deal of religion but very little Christianity. I despair at what happened yesterday in Northern Ireland. Can I take it that discussions are taking place involving, where necessary, the Irish Government, both communities in the North and the British Government to try to resolve the situation in Drumcree? Is the Minister hopeful that a resolution to the stand-off will be found before the march proceeds down Garvaghy Road?
I appreciate the Deputy's response. Everything that can be done is being done by politicians North and South and in Britain to ensuring the Drumcree situation is calm. The Taoiseach and I have been in contact with our counterparts. The Taoiseach has been in contact with the British Prime Minister and a few hours ago the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland contacted me. That contact will be ongoing to bring about a resolution to this problem. The problem concerns the accommodation of two different traditions — the right of the Orangemen to march and the right of the Nationalist community to live in peace and harmony. It is the accommodation of those two traditions we seek to resolve. Everything that can be done will continue to be done to bring about a peaceful resolution to this problem.
Perhaps in calmer times we might return to the question of the whole purpose of a march going down a road in this way to a religious service. I do not wish to add to the difficulties which exist by commenting further, except to say the organised hatred in Northern Ireland indicates clearly that we all need to reassert that what we have is a beginning and we have a long way to go in ensuring the success of the peace process in Northern Ireland. A great start has been made. Have the Taoiseach and the Minister had discussions with the new First Minister or Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland since their appointment yesterday? Is it intended that the Taoiseach and the First Minister will meet in the near future to discuss the peace process and the ongoing difficulties that exist in the North?
The Taoiseach has been in touch with Mr. Trimble — I am not sure whether it was in his capacity as First Minister since that happened only yesterday. Certainly I have been in touch with Mr. Mallon offering him my congratulations on behalf of everyone. On a personal note I am very pleased and proud for him. He made a significant contribution to the peace process and that is agreed among all parties. His negotiation prowess is unparalleled. I join with the Deputy in condemning the church burnings yesterday. What its purpose is intended to be remains a mystery to us except to suggest it is intended to sow the seeds of dissension. It is clear that the place to bring people's differences is to the Assembly, the democratic process. I condemn the outrage that occurred in relation to the burning of the churches.
The Minister did not address my question as to whether there will be a meeting in the near future between the Taoiseach and the First Minister. Was the question of the Drumcree impasse raised some days ago at the meeting with Gerry Adams? If so, will he indicate whether Mr. Adams is among those working behind the scenes to bring about a resolution of the problem?
The Deputy can take it everybody is working behind the scenes to bring about a resolution of the problem. The Taoiseach and I will be meeting with the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in the near future.
Before coming to the next question perhaps the Chair will clarify an issue for me. It had been understood I was substituting for Deputy Spring this week on matters of foreign affairs. Is it open to the House to agree that I would follow Deputy Spring's priority question?
I regret to inform the Deputy that it is not open at this stage. Notice must be received in the office in time to allow for the Deputy's name to be printed on the Questions Paper. I have checked with my office and no notice was received.
I accept that, but my understanding was that it had been received as late as last Monday. The consequence of this would be that I could not agree to Other Questions being combined. I could not accept, for example, that discussion on Questions Nos. 13 and 14 on East Timor would be closed off.
We are speaking only about Priority Questions here. There are oral questions to follow and the Deputy is free to——
My point is that there can be no combination of an ordinary oral question with a priority question in such a way as to preclude discussion.
I understand what the Deputy is saying.