Conor Lenihan
Ceist:124 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if paramilitary decommissioning of weapons is a pre-condition for participation in the executive envisaged by the British-Irish Agreement. [27590/98]
Written Answers. - British-Irish Agreement.
Conor Lenihan
Ceist:126 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm that under the terms of the British-Irish Agreement proposed paramilitary decommissioning of weapons is envisaged to be a voluntary rather than a mandatory process. [27592/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 126 together.
While not setting down decommissioning as a precondition for participation in the Executive, the British-Irish Agreement contains specific and very important provisions on decommissioning. Recalling their agreement that "the resolution of the decommissioning issue is an indispensable part of the process of negotiation" the participants in the multi-party talks reaffirmed their commitment to the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations. They also confirmed their intention to work constructively with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, and to use any influence they may have to achieve decommissioning within two years, following endorsement in referendums, North and South, of the Agreement and in the context of the implementation of the overall settlement. What is above all essential, in the view of the Government, is that all aspects of the Agreement, including its decommissioning section, are implemented in full.
Conor Lenihan
Ceist:125 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the method of evaluation to be used by the Government to assess whether the British-Irish Agreement has been implemented in order to effect change to the Republic's Constitution. [27591/98]
Conor Lenihan
Ceist:127 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm that, under the terms of the referendum on the British-Irish Agreement, changes in Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution will not occur unless the agreement has been implemented by all parties involved. [27593/98]
Conor Lenihan
Ceist:128 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is still the position that changes in Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution will not happen without the proposed North-South structures being in place beforehand. [27594/98]
Conor Lenihan
Ceist:129 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm that the proposed changes in Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution will not be implemented until every aspect of the British-Irish Agreement has been implemented. [27595/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 127, 128, and 129 together.
The British-Irish Agreement provides that immediately on entry into force of this Agreement, the Government shall ensure that the amendments to Articles 2 and 3 take effect. The British-Irish Agreement itself can only come intoforce when all the necessary legislation has been enacted to establish: (i) a North-South Ministerial Council; (ii) the North-South implementation bodies; (iii) a British-Irish Council; and (iv) a British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.