Trevor Sargent
Ceist:105 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the operation of the North-South Ministerial Council. [24586/00]
Written Answers. - North-South Ministerial Council.
The North-South Ministerial Council was established on 2 December 1999. It has met twice in plenary format, on 13 December 1999 and on 26 Sep tember 2000. In addition, there have been 19 NSMC sectoral meetings across the various policy areas which come within the competence of the council. The one exception has been in the area of transport where the relevant DUP Minister has, thus far, refused to participate in the council. It is nonetheless our hope that it will be possible to hold an NSMC meeting in transport in the near future.
In addition, the process of establishing the six all-island implementation bodies is well advanced with considerable progress having been made in the recruitment of chief executive officers, supporting staff and the setting up of office and administrative structures.
By any standards this level of engagement is a considerable achievement and has been characterised by a constructive spirit of co-operation on all sides. The pattern of cross-Border endeavour over the last 12 months has constituted an intensity and spread of activity unprecedented in North-South relations.
Regrettably, it is has not proved possible this month to hold the scheduled NSMC meetings in the health and education sectors, following the decision of the First Minister not to nominate the Sinn Féin Ministers who hold those portfolios to attend the council. This action is both disappointing and misconceived since compromising the successful operation of the institutions is not conducive to resolving a problem which lies elsewhere in the implementation of the agreement.
However, every effort is being undertaken to ensure that the momentum in those particular areas of co-operation is not diminished. In addition, intensive efforts are being made by the two Governments, and in co-operation with the pro-agreement parties, to resolve the wider political problems with a view to ensuring that the NSMC can return to full business in the near future.
Question No. 106 taken with Question No. 63.