Trevor Sargent
Ceist:135 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the programme of meetings scheduled to the end of 1998 with parties to the British-Irish Agreement. [23393/98]
Written Answers. - British-Irish Agreement.
Meetings, both at political and at official level, take place with all parties to the Agreement on a regular basis. However, as such meetings often take place at short notice and as events develop, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with a detailed schedule. In this context, I can advise the Deputy that I am meeting with Dr. Mowlam, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in London tomorrow evening prior to my departure for the European Council in Vienna.
The intensive discussions on North-South aspects of the Agreement which have taken place in recent weeks, and in which both the Taoiseach and I have participated, will continue in the coming period.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:136 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if all legislative requirements flowing from the British-Irish Agreement will be met in a timely fashion. [22812/98]
The Government places the highest priority on the implementation in full of the British-Irish Agreement. We are fully committed to meeting all legislative requirements flowing from the Agreement, on time.
Legislation will be required in respect of the establishment of the North-South Ministerial Council and of implementation bodies. The Government will be in a position to start drafting legislation immediately once political agreement is reached on the bodies. The enactment of this legislation in the Oireachtas will, however, be linked to the evolution of the situation as regards the entry into force of all of the institutions provided for in the Agreement. Naturally, we hope that it will be possible to move ahead at an early date in the new year.
Legislation under the Agreement on the release of prisoners, the establishment of a Human Rights Commission, changes to the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, employment equality and equal status are dealt with by my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I would refer the Deputy to that Minister's reply to Question No. 321 of 20 October 1998 when he told the House of progress being made on these and other matters, and to his reply to Questions Nos. 21, 22, 46 and 61of 26 November when he outlined further developments in relation to the implementation of the human rights provisions of the Agreement.