Vol. 559 No. 5
61 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the Ulster Unionist Party regarding the recent British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002, designed to allow the continued operation of the cross-Border bodies; if he has discussed these concerns with the UUP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26526/02]
The Irish and British Governments agreed, by an exchange of letters on 19 November, that during the period of temporary suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, decisions of the North- South Ministerial Council on policies and actions relating to the implementation bodies and Tourism Ireland, or their respective functions, would be taken by the two Governments. The agreement was necessary because the North-South Ministerial Council cannot meet during the period of suspension. It was given domestic effect in this jurisdiction by the British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Act, 2002.
I am fully aware of the concerns of the Ulster Unionist Party on this matter. We discussed the issue at our round-table talks in Belfast 28 November, and I met a delegation from the Ulster Unionist Party, led by Sir Reg Empey, in Dublin on 11 December. I was pleased to have this further opportunity to reassure Sir Reg and his colleagues about the nature and intent of the temporary measures put in place by the two Governments. This temporary and remedial action is purely about good corporate governance and ensuring that the North-South Implementation Bodies can continue to carry out their day-to-day activities for the benefit of people in both parts of the island.
I believe that all of the pro-Agreement parties accept that these seven all-island organisations exercise important public functions and provide commercially important services in both jurisdictions. They have been operational for three years now, employing a considerable number of staff. The House will appreciate that, as Governments, we had a responsibility to ensure that they continued to be able to discharge their functions.
This joint remedial action by the two Governments was taken in the context of what we all hope will be a short-lived suspension. As Secretary of State Murphy has already indicated, we do not anticipate taking decisions other than those which are strictly necessary to ensure the proper care and maintenance of the bodies as they perform their essential functions. Members will recall that the supplementary agreement between the two Governments makes clear that no new functions can be conferred on the implementation bodies under these interim arrangements.
We are all continuing to work together for the early restoration of the institutions, which will obviate the need for these temporary arrangements. The House will recall that our legislation makes specific and explicit provision for these arrangements to lapse on the earliest day practicable after the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly. That is where our energy needs to be focused at this time. Tomorrow in Dublin, a further meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference will be co-chaired by me and Secretary of State Murphy, and on the following day in Belfast the next round-table talks with the Northern Ireland political parties will take place.
