Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 November 2014
191. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions he has had recently with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Members of the Northern Ireland Executive on the need to establish the civic forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43691/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra192. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions he has had recently with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Members of the Northern Ireland Executive on the need to progress the proposed bill of rights for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43692/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra193. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions he has had recently with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with Members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the need to progress the proposed Irish Language Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43693/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 to 193, inclusive, together.
A number of elements of the Good Friday Agreement and St Andrews Agreement have not yet been fully implemented. This has recently been discussed at the political talks in Belfast convened by the Irish and British Governments, which began on 16 October. Among the outstanding commitments are the establishment of a North-South Consultative Forum, a Bill of Rights and an Irish Language Act. The principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrews Agreement are essential to peace and reconciliation in Ireland and across these islands - as such the position of the Irish Government always has been, and continues to be, that all outstanding elements of the Agreements must be implemented.
The Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of an independent Consultative Forum representative of civil society. The St Andrews Agreement provided further that the Northern Ireland Executive would support the establishment of an independent North/South Consultative Forum. In September 2008, the Irish Government submitted proposals for the role, format, membership and operation of a North-South Consultative Forum to the Executive for its consideration, and facilitated three consultative conferences, the most recent of which was in January 2011. The Government awaits a response from the Executive. The Taoiseach has raised the Forum at each Plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council he has attended, including the most recent meeting on 3 October 2014.
I continue to urge all the parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly to engage in constructive discussion with a view to reaching agreement on the substance of a Bill of Rights. A Bill of Rights drawn up by agreement between the main parties of the Assembly could set out precisely and formally the rights underpinning a reconciled society in Northern Ireland. Officials of my Department keep in ongoing contact with representatives of civil society on the issue of a Bill of Rights.
Since the restoration of the devolved Institutions on 8 May 2007, the question of an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland is a devolved matter and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive and in particular of the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms. Carál Ní Chuilín MLA. Delivering an Acht na Gaeilge would reflect the core principle of parity of esteem for the diverse cultural heritage of this island.
