Charlie O'Connor
Ceist:345 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his involvement in the recent talks aimed at finding a solution to the continued difficulties in Northern Ireland. [22304/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 29 September 2004
Ceisteanna (164)
Freagraí scríofa
On 16 to 18 September, along with the Taoiseach and my colleagues, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Kitt, I met with Prime Minister Blair and the Assembly parties, for a three day intensive conference at Leeds Castle in Kent. The conference was focused on the resolution of four key outstanding issues, with a view to restoring the full and inclusive operation of the political institutions. These are an end to paramilitary activity; arms decommissioning; stability of the political institutions; and policing, including the devolution of policing and justice powers.
As stated by the Taoiseach at Leeds Castle, it is our belief that the issues relating to the ending of paramilitary activity and decommissioning can now be resolved, as part of a comprehensive agreement. It was not possible at Leeds Castle, however, to achieve consensus on possible changes to the operation of the institutions in strands one, two and three of the Good Friday Agreement. Both Governments are agreed that any such changes must respect the fundamental principle of partnership enshrined in the agreement and its key power sharing provisions.
Consultations on the institutional issues continued last week in Stormont between the Assembly parties and the two Governments. In the light of these discussions, both Governments are now considering how progress on these institutional issues can be advanced. The visit of a DUP delegation, led by Dr. Paisley, to Dublin on 30 September will provide an important opportunity to further address these issues. In addition to the talks in Stormont, I availed of the opportunity last week to brief the UN General Assembly on recent developments in Northern Ireland, as well as key Irish-American contacts in New York and Boston.
We need now to build on the momentum of the discussions at Leeds Castle so that all of the outstanding issues are quickly finalised and a comprehensive agreement secured for the benefit of all of the people of Northern Ireland.