Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:25 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will advise on developments in the Northern Ireland peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14529/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 19 May 2004
Ceisteanna (40, 41)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:33 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made with regard to the review of the Good Friday Agreement; the Government’s priorities for the review; the length of time he expects the process to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14554/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 33 together.
The review of the operation of the Good Friday Agreement continued at Stormont on 27 April and 4 May. The Government was represented by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, on both days, and by the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on 27 April, and by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Kitt, on 4 May.
The discussions on both days focused on Strands Two and Three of the Agreement, and the parties presented their views and proposals in these areas. The Governments agreed that the review should go into recess during the European election campaign, but it is intended that it should subsequently resume for at least two further meetings before the summer break. The Government's priority for the review is to secure an outcome, consistent with the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement, that attracts consensus support among the parties.
In addition to the review and routine bilateral contacts with the parties, the Government is maintaining its engagement with the British Government on all aspects of the implementation of the Agreement, including at the meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London on 21 April, which I co-chaired with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Paul Murphy, MP. Moreover, the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Blair continue to accord high priority to the peace process and reviewed the matter in depth during their meeting in Dublin on 2 May. Both Governments will remain in close touch over the weeks of the European election campaign, as will officials.