Monica Barnes
Ceist:56 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans he has to visit Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27565/00]
Other Questions. - Northern Ireland Issues.
Although I visit Northern Ireland on a regular basis, very often at short notice, including to meet with the British Government, political parties in Northern Ireland and with community and representative organisations, I do not at present have immediate plans to do so.
I regard it as a highly important aspect of my job and of the role of my Department to work to build communication and understanding with the political parties in Northern Ireland and with the people in business, community groups and throughout civic society.
As the Deputy may be aware, when the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister met last week, they agreed that we should now engage in intensive discussions, meeting at all levels and with all of the parties, to seek to resolve the current difficulties we face in implementing the Agreement.
What is the attitude of the Government to the new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland and will he encourage members of the Nationalist community to join the police force?
I set out the considered up to date Government position in the Seanad last week. I instructed that a copy of that speech be circulated to spokespersons on Foreign Affairs in this House.
It is important to point out, as Chris Patten has done today in The Belfast Telegraph, that policing issues are not restricted to legislation. I have acknowledged that there have been improvements in the course of the adversarial legislative process in certain key and significant areas from the time the Bill was first published when certain deficiencies were identified by the Government and other parties. Clearly, we are seeking to work constructively with all parties and the British Government to ensure that in the context of the implementation plan and other outstanding issues we can provide some certainty and clarity which will enable people to reflect and carefully study the full package. As Chris Patten pointed out, the legislative basis for police reform is just one leg of that changed scenario envisaged in the report. We are continuing to work intensively to bring about an accountable, effective, impartial, efficient and representative police force so people from the Nationalist community, who for historical and political reasons in the past have not been participating to the extent one would like, might participate in future. This is essential. The Government has not adopted a doctrinaire approach. We have a pragmatic view—
I remind the Minister that replies are subject to a one minute time limit.
As a result of all the discussions, legislative and otherwise, we are seeking to arrive at an outcome which will ensure there is sufficient confidence in the Nationalist community to participate.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I read the speech he delivered in the Seanad. Am I correct in thinking the Minister and the Government are reserving their position on policing until such time as the implementation plan is put in place and that after that there will be a more definitive approach?
The Government acknowledges the progress which has been made thus far in respect of the improvements to the policing Bill as it passed through Westminster. We are now working actively to ensure the non-legislative aspects of the Patten proposals are implemented and that a clear indication is given of the intent of the British Government to proceed along those lines. Other Nationalist parties are awaiting this and we are working constructively in that process.