Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:
72
Mr. S. Ryan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will make a statement on his discussions with the political parties in Northern Ireland; and if he will give his assessment of the prospects of political progress in the light of these meetings.
[27515/00]
As the Deputy will be aware, I meet regularly with representatives of the various political parties both on matters relating to implementation of the Agreement and on Northern Ireland issues generally.
When the Taoiseach met with Prime Minister Blair last week, it was agreed that intensive discussions should now take place at all levels and with all of the parties to seek to overcome the current difficulties we face. These include secur ing the successful operation of the institutions, including the North/South Ministerial Council, on a fully inclusive basis, continued progress on the question of arms and a satisfactory outcome on policing. I remain confident that in these discussions we will be able to find an agreed way forward.
As I have said before, in recent months we have made steady and significant progress towards securing the full implementation of the Agreement. The institutions in particular have been carrying forward important and valuable work.
That is why the motion passed by the Ulster Unionist Council and the subsequent decision by David Trimble not to nominate Sinn Féin Ministers to attend meetings of the NSMC, are disappointing. As I have said elsewhere, no one party is entitled to compromise the successful operation of the institutions and to put a block on progress to resolve difficulties that lie elsewhere. While I share the desire to see arms fully and verifiably put beyond use, I do not believe that these tactics have the potential to secure that outcome.
I have also said that republicans need to acknowledge that there is a deficit in unionist confidence that must be addressed if they, too, are to achieve all that the Agreement offers them. I have welcomed the successful weapons inspections that have been undertaken by the international inspectors, Marrti Ahtisaari and Cyril Ramaphosa. I believe, however, that we also now need to see truly meaningful engagement taking place between the IRA and the de Chastelain commission as promised by the IRA in its statement of May.
On policing, a central part of the Agreement, the British legislation which has now entered into law was improved in several important and significant respects as it passed through Westminster. However, while the Nationalist parties continue to want to see the policing project succeed, they do not yet have the necessary confidence that the new beginning in policing promised in the Agreement will be fully achieved. We need to build on the improvements that have already been made to achieve that confidence and to ensure the success of the policing project as a whole.
