John Bruton
Ceist:11 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the USA over the St. Patrick's day period and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7612/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Northern Ireland Issues.
John Bruton
Ceist:12 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with President Clinton in Washington; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7613/99]
John Bruton
Ceist:13 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the official engagements he undertook on his recent trip to the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7614/99]
John Bruton
Ceist:14 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the meeting of the Ireland-US Economic Advisory Board which he attended in Washington on his recent trip to the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7615/99]
John Bruton
Ceist:15 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the meetings he had recently in the United States of America with the leaders of Northern Ireland's political parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7616/99]
John Bruton
Ceist:16 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his assessment of the current position with regard to implementing the Good Friday Agreement. [7617/99]
John Bruton
Ceist:17 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to visit Northern Ireland before Easter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7638/99]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:18 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the meetings he had when he visited the United States last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7791/99]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:19 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the discussions, if any, he had with US President, Mr. Bill Clinton, about his role in the Northern Ireland process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7792/99]
John Bruton
Ceist:20 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the murder of Ms Rosemary Nelson in Lurgan on 15 March 1999. [8152/99]
John Bruton
Ceist:21 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the US Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8153/99]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:22 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he has considered the possibility of legislation being required to extend the 12 month period in Article 29.7 of the Constitution during which the Government may make a declaration that amendments should be made to Articles 2 and 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8203/99]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:23 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8209/99]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:24 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to visit Northern Ireland before 2 April 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8212/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 25, inclusive, together.
I take this opportunity to reiterate our condemnation of the terrible murder of Rosemary Nelson and to offer my sincere sympathies to her family and friends. Many tributes have been paid to Rosemary in recent days, to her outstanding abilities, to her commitment and to her courage in the most difficult circumstances. This is a measure of the regard she was held in by the people of Northern Ireland and internationally.
It is now of critical importance that those responsible are brought to justice, that the rule of law prevails and is seen to prevail, so that all the people of Northern Ireland can be confident of equal treatment before the law. I noted the unique arrangements that have been made for the investigation and I hope it delivers the just outcome that we all want. It is absolutely essential that the investigation should not just be independent and transparent but be seen to be such. I have noted the unique arrangements that have been put in place for the investigation and I hope it delivers the just outcome that we all want. It is absolutely essential that the investigation should not be only independent and transparent but be seen to be such. In this regard, I will discuss the role of the Chief Constable of Kent, Mr. Phillips, in the investigation with the British Prime Minister at our meeting in Berlin. Clearly, those who carried out this attack sought to undermine the process on which a peaceful future for Northern Ireland depends. Our best response to those who murdered her will be to ensure the success of the process they are trying to wreck.
My programme of engagements for the St. Patrick's Day period began in San Francisco, where I was honoured to be the recipient of the "Spirit of Ireland" Award – from the Dublin-San José Sister City Committee. In Silicon Valley I met representatives of companies with significant operations in Ireland, including Guidant, which announced a major expansion of its facility here. I also launched, for Enterprise Ireland, an electronic network for the increasing number of Irish high-tech companies doing business in Silicon Valley. My visit to the United States also provided many opportunities to reiterate to the business community the excellent conditions for business and the attractiveness of Ireland as a place in which to invest.
I attended the St. Patrick's parade in San Francisco on Sunday, 14 March and later attended a reunion at the United Irish Cultural Centre in that city. Both events highlighted the tremendous pride evident in the Irish community throughout the United States. The following day, I addressed the Commonwealth Club of California and World Affairs Council of North California. I outlined Ireland's position as the software capital of Europe and the many positive developments in our economy in recent times. I outlined the evolution of Ireland's contribution since independence in the field of international affairs. I also focused on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, recognising the importance of the US contribution in helping us to come so far.
In Washington on 16 March at the American Ireland Fund Dinner, I had the opportunity of acknowledging the tremendous contribution which the American Ireland Fund has made to this island over the past two decades. The American Ireland Fund Dinner honoured, in particular, Senator Edward Kennedy and I was delighted to have the opportunity there to pay tribute to him – a true friend of Ireland – for his invaluable contribution to the network of relationships which has made the peace process possible. Earlier that day, I met the Senator with another good friend of Ireland, Senator Chris Dodd, and also had a well attended meeting with the Friends of Ireland Ad-Hoc Committee and a breakfast meeting with Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, and senior officials of the Department of State.
On St. Patrick's Day, in addition to the traditional presentation of shamrock at the White House, I had an excellent meeting with the President, the Secretary of State and his other top advisers on Northern Ireland. President Clinton also hosted a major reception at the White House in the evening. His interest in, and focus on, the peace process is clearly as keen as ever. Speaker Hastert also honoured us by hosting the traditional Friends of Ireland lunch on Capitol Hill, which was also attended by President Clinton, all the Northern Ireland party leaders and Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam. I look forward to welcoming the Speaker in turn to Ireland, when he arrives here on 1 April as part of his first overseas visit as Speaker.
While in Washington, the events hosted by President Clinton and his Administration facilitated various meetings and discussions, formal and informal. These involved President Clinton, Northern party leaders and other key figures from both North and South in Ireland – from both traditions – and Vice President Gore, Secretary of State Albright and many others These meetings provided a good opportunity for all of us to step back and look, in a creative way, at the big picture, to remind ourselves of the enormous benefits we stand to gain, provided we give the Agreement a chance to work and what will be lost if we do not. What is at stake is a fresh start, which is to the benefit of everyone, after 30 years of conflict.
The meetings also provided an opportunity to focus on the one obstacle to launching the insti tutions provided for in the Agreement. It is clear there is no easy solution and the only way out of the current impasse is for everyone to give a little bit. In the period between now and the first anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, we will all have to work intensively to create the necessary political space and translate these realities into a resolution that is consistent with the Agreement. We will have to do it together in the same spirit of partnership, creativity and shared responsibility which brought about the Agreement in the first place. We will all have to move. It is not an option for anyone to stand back and say they have done their bit or will not do their bit. We all – Nationalists, Unionists, loyalists and republicans – worked very hard for the Agreement. We all share responsibility for its success. The people of this island, to whom we are all ultimately responsible, voted for the Agreement in overwhelming numbers. It is up to us to make it succeed.
It was particularly fitting that President Clinton chose to honour Senator George Mitchell with the highest civilian honour that can be conferred in the United States, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It was also especially fitting that it should be presented to him on St. Patrick's Day, when so many, who know better than most the true extent of his contribution at considerable personal sacrifice to himself and his family, could be there to witness that recognition of a very worthy recipient. I hope too that the Northern party leaders will take inspiration from George Mitchell's direct remarks to them, as he stressed the imperative of resolving the remaining difficulties. Senator Mitchell knows the process better than most, and his urgent appeal will, I believe, encourage people to move forward.
On Thursday, 18 March, I chaired a meeting of the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board in Washington. I took the opportunity to brief board members on the peace process. The meeting also included a discussion on developments in the Irish economy, including the telecommunications sector and our preparations generally to put Ireland in a position at the forefront of the e-commerce revolution. It was also agreed that the next meeting of the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board, to be held in Ireland, will be devoted to looking at all aspects of the provision of further infrastructure to support our economic growth.
On Friday morning, 19 March, President Clinton and Prime Minister Blair joined me in issuing a tripartite statement urging the Northern Ireland leaders to meet the deadlines set for all aspects of the Agreement. We are nearly there. The prize is in sight. We have to make it succeed. Over the coming weeks we will continue to work intensively to find a solution, to build the necessary trust and confidence, to engage and to work with General de Chastelain, to find the additional space which will allow an accommodation to be reached on this issue, which I genuinely believe everyone wishes to see resolved.
Regarding the possible requirement for the enactment of legislation to extend the period during which the Government may declare that the amendments should be made to Articles 2 and 3, we continue to work on the basis that we will make the necessary progress to give effect to this provision and thus be in a position to make the necessary declaration within the specified period – failure to meet our target is not an option. As I said earlier in my reply, all our efforts are focused on achieving that goal.
I have no specific plans to visit Northern Ireland between now and Easter, but I and my relevant ministerial colleagues stand ready to take every appropriate step between now and Easter to ensure that the promise of the Good Friday Agreement is realised for all the people of this island.
I hope the bowl of shamrock was Irish grown, given what Deputy Conor Lenihan has been saying about imported shamrock. In regard to Question No. 14, which concerns the Ireland-US Economic Advisory Board, I understand Mr. Brian Thompson is a member of that board. Did the Taoiseach have discussions with Mr. Thompson at, or outside, that meeting in relation to the possible conflict of interest he may have had as chairman of Telecom Éireann and, if so, what was the outcome of those discussions?
In relation to the Taoiseach's visit to San José, with which Dublin city is properly and strategically twinned, is he aware of any proposals to have direct flights from San José to Dublin? If so, what steps are being taken to explore this matter further?
In reply to the first question, the gentleman to whom the Deputy referred played a full and active part in the meeting. I had no discussions about the subsequent decisions of the Minister. I do not believe he was aware of the difficulty at that time. He played a full part, as always, in the meeting.
There were meetings in regard to the flight arrangements which I did not attend but I hope progress can be made on that issue. The statistics and presentation which I was shown indicate there is an enormous amount of travel by the almost 100 San José companies which are involved here in one form or another, with executives and technical and supervisory staff travelling back and forth on a weekly basis. The case was also made in regard to tourism. Enterprise Ireland is involved with 30 or 40 companies in the San José area and it expects that number to double in the next year. The justification for such flights has increased since the matter was last looked at. As I understand it, the matter is being discussed by Aer Lingus and some other airlines.
I call Deputy Flanagan.
(Dublin West): On a point of order, the Taoiseach answered 11 questions together and there are just two minutes left before the end of Taoiseach's Question Time.
There is a little more. The Deputy should not—
(Dublin West): Can they be carried over to tomorrow?
Let us proceed. I call Deputy Flanagan.
I share the views of Deputy Higgins in regard to the carry-over of questions, because the situation is somewhat unsatisfactory. In regard to the quoted pivotal role of General John de Chastelain, given that the Agreement is quite specific that the role and function of the General shall be no more than to monitor, verify and review progress on decommissioning, how can it be expected that there will be an initiative from him, in view of the fact that he has no political authority and, therefore, no political power? Given that more and more of the parties seem to be placing the burden of responsibility on General de Chastelain, who has quite rightly remained quiet on the issue, how does the Taoiseach interpret the General's role and function at this stage?
I have stated for a long time now that the only way we will make progress on this issue is under the Agreement. Senator George Mitchell's earlier role was to provide a report on the decommissioning body which was subsequently set up under General de Chastelain. It is widely agreed by all the parties and the Governments that General de Chastelain, rather than having political control, has the ability to initiate some conclusions which may prove helpful. He cannot do that on his own; he can only do it through direct dialogue with the parties which have associations with paramilitary bodies and the Governments. General de Chastelain has sought to develop his role in a helpful way to construct a resolution with the parties involved. That remains to be done. I do not believe the General can initiate any measure which has not been developed with the assistance of the parties.
Does the Taoiseach believe that the President of the United States is prepared to act in a similar hands-on fashion in relation to the talks now as he did this time last year, given that the current impasse is an equally difficult one? In light of the shocking murder of Rosemary Nelson whom I always found to be very courteous, professional and motivated by the highest ideals of fair treatment and human rights, can the Taoiseach offer the Opposition parties any type of briefing to avoid their having to second guess more than is necessary in regard to the subtleties and sensitivities of this difficult period? The Forum, for instance, is not meeting at the moment and we do not have the opportunity to tease out matters.
In the same way as we did last year prior to and during Easter week, we will certainly keep Opposition leaders in touch if there are any major developments. We appreciate their support and assistance throughout this process and will be happy to keep them informed. I would like to put on record my condemnation of the murder of Mr. Frank Curry last week.
Does the Taoiseach believe that the annual gathering in Washington of politicians from many sides of the political divide in Northern Ireland is constructive and helpful in making informal contact possible, as clearly happened with Mr. Adams and Mr. Trimble?
Arising from the Taoiseach's discussions with Mr. Adams at Dublin Airport following events in Washington, does he believe that, while Mr. Adams has publicly stated he cannot get the IRA to deliver on decommissioning prior to the establishment of an executive, Mr. Adams could deliver on the commencement of a decommissioning process by the IRA if the executive were formed?
I am absolutely convinced that the dialogue and contact established in Washington is very useful. It is regrettable and at times difficult to understand, even for someone like me who deals with the parties on an ongoing basis, why we cannot have more dialogue of this nature but there are difficulties involved.
Perhaps the Washington air has an effect.
It is not possible to establish that kind of contact in either Belfast or Dublin with the same freedom. The contact is useful for everyone involved but particularly for the Loyalist parties which have a very constructive part to play.
I would love to be able to respond positively to the second part of the Deputy's question but I would be misleading the House if I said I would be any more confident.
Ba mhaith liom ar dtús tacaíocht leis an méid a dúirt an Taoiseach ar bhás Rosemary Nelson. An aontaíonn an Taoiseach liom go bhfuil gá anois le fiosrúchán neamhspleách idirnáisiúnta ar dhúnmharú Rosemary Nelson agus nach féidir leis an RUC feidhmiú sa chás seo mar ní thiocfaidh fírinne nó cothrom na féinne as fiosrúchán ag an bhfórsa seicteach sin?
I wish to associate with the sympathy expressed by the Taoiseach to the family and friends of the late Mrs. Rosemary Nelson. Does the Taoiseach agree that what is needed now is an independent international inquiry into the murder of Rosemary Nelson with matters being taken completely out of the hands of the RUC? Will the Government intervene, as urged by the human rights group, Cearta, to ensure the relevant forensic material can be accessed by independent outside bodies so that there is not a cover up in this case as there has been in the past?
I want to see a transparent and independent tribunal. The Prime Minister Mr. Blair said he wanted to see an independent tribunal inquiry and investigation.
I think he meant an investigation.
Any investigation cannot totally ignore the police. They are the people who have the forensic knowledge and first hand information.
They are a subject of the investigation and must be subject to the investigation.
I have no difficulty with that. As I understand it, what the Prime Minister said last week was that Mr. Phillips should have not just a co-ordinating role but should be in charge of the investigation and his people should be involved. This is a point on which we need clarification. We also need to know if the officers on the ground will have to give their reports to it.
In the United States I met a number of the international human rights groups. The UN rapporteur on human rights issues has spoken out on this issue and all the international bodies are concerned about it since Rosemary Nelson was known to them because of various cases. Their views should be taken into account. Not only that but Members here want a proper investigation and the matter be properly resolved. I welcome the involvement of the Chief Constable of Kent, Mr. Phillips. I, too, will be involved. I hope there will be an early conclusion to these investigations.
(Dublin-West): In view of the appalling murder of Rosemary Nelson and the suspicions of collusion between some arms of the Northern Ireland State and those who carried out this atrocity, will the Taoiseach agree an independent inquiry, independent of the police, including the British police, is what is required?
When he was in the United States was there a repeat of last year's heavy lobbying by Monsanto and other multinationals about permission to bring into Europe their genetically modified produce? In regard to Ireland's policy within the EU was the Taoiseach lobbied by those companies or anyone in the American Administration or otherwise on their behalf?
The British Prime Minister has confidence that the Chief Constable of Kent and his negotiators and investigators and those of the FBI can resolve this issue. On the question of whether Mr. Phillips and his team are dependent on the RUC, as far as I am concerned – and from what I have heard – the group from Kent can do this job properly. A totally international group is not required. The FBI which is involved will use a strong team. On the other question I was not lobbied in a heavy handed way by Monsanto last year. The matter was mentioned on the side but this year it was not mentioned.
Will the Taoiseach request the Garda Commissioner to consult the Chief Constable in Northern Ireland and to prepare a report to satisfy the Taoiseach that the proposed structure of the inquiry meets the standards of independence and impartiality that everybody in this House requires to get a clear outcome from the investigations into the brutal murder of Rosemary Nelson? The Labour Party associates with the expressions of sympathy with regard to her murder.
In view of his comment about his most recent conversations with Mr. Adams and Mr. Trimble, does the Taoiseach still hope that some methodology can be established between now and Friday week to break the impasse on the Good Friday Agreement?
The Deputy asked whether the Garda has a role and if we need its advice on this matter. Certainly we can have it. The issue is that the independent structure is satisfactory but I will certainly keep that in mind. In reply to the second question, as in all these matters, the Governments have triggered the deadline to try to ensure that next Monday starts the week where we can move to a stage where the Executive is set up. I emphasise that cannot happen unless there is cross-community support. There cannot be cross-community support unless there is an understanding on this issue which still continues to create so many difficulties for the process. If I am not confident, nothing will happen. We have to try to get people to focus.
Is the Taoiseach confident or hopeful?
I have to be confident to press people to focus. Not everyone has the same degree of urgency on these matters as Members. That applies across the board. Sometimes people feel things might just happen. I do not think they will. It will need a very intensive engagement. This is not an issue about which one side or the other will concede. Both sides need to engage intensively and constructively to see whether we can establish the goodwill to make a move that will undo the logjam. I have to keep trying.
When is the Patten Commission on policing in Northern Ireland likely to report? I do not know anything about the Chief Constable of Kent, Mr. Phillips, but I presume he is an honest broker since I have not read anything to the contrary. On the premise that the Taoiseach shares that view, will he agree the Chief Constable of Kent should have overall operational responsibility for the conduct of the inquiry and, if so, what steps will he take to bring that about?
The Patten Commission report will be written up during the summer, following all its investigations and examinations, its roadshow in the North and what happens internationally. I presume it will be ready in early autumn. On the other issue, the important matter is that Mr. Phillips is not just a convenor without direct operational and executive say in these matters, that he is not just co-ordinating a team where all the other people do the work, but that he has his own people. That is the difference between the human rights groups and what I will convey to Prime Minister Blair later this evening. In the House of Commons Mr. Blair made a very clear statement that he wanted it to be broad based and intensive. However, when some of the international human rights people contacted the chief constable's office, he stated he saw his role as a co-ordinating one and not one of direct involvement. That is where the confusion arose last week and we must try to resolve it.