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Northern Ireland Issues.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Ceisteanna (1, 2)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

183 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will give an update on the current talks in the North and any concrete proposals to get the peace process moving again. [21367/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

186 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the Leeds Castle talks. [21977/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 186 together.

After three days of intensive discussion at Leeds Castle with the Northern Ireland parties, both Prime Minister Blair and I believe we can resolve the issues to do with ending paramilitary activity and putting weapons beyond use. However, while significant progress was made on Strand I, II and III issues, it was not possible to conclude agreement on these at Leeds Castle.

After the Leeds Castle talks, all of the parties, supported by Secretary of State Paul Murphy and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Tom Kitt, engaged further on these issues. We wish to draw these discussions to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.

The Governments believe that what is on offer from the republican movement is reasonable in its substance and historic in its meaning and we are determined to move ahead. On the one hand, there must be the complete end to violence in all its forms. On the other, there must be a genuine, lasting and stable commitment to power-sharing. If agreement cannot be reached between the parties, when it is clear it should be, we have said that we will find a different way to move this process forward.

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