Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
138. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there have been any recent discussions with the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive on the establishment of a civic advisory panel as provided for in the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33871/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the proposal in the Stormont House Agreement to establish a civic advisory panel following the provision for the establishment of a civic forum in the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33872/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 150 together.
The concept of an independent consultative forum was first established under Strand One of the Good Friday Agreement, as a consultative mechanism on social, economic and cultural issues. It was envisaged to comprise of representatives of the business, trade union, voluntary sectors and such other sectors as provided for by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. It was to be reviewed at the time of the suspension of the institutions in 2002 and was not reconvened.
The 2014 Stormont House Agreement proposed the formation of a Compact Civic Advisory Panel. It was agreed as part of New Decade New Approach that this panel should be reformed and that 1-2 issues per year, as identified by the Executive, would be commissioned for civic engagement, with the Panel to propose the most appropriate model for specific issues including one Citizens Assembly a year. The Government supports the implementation of this commitment, alongside all those made as part of NDNA. Progress on these commitments will be considered at further Implementation Review meetings involving the Governments and the Northern Ireland parties.
The Government continues to support the establishment of the North South Consultative Forum, as provided for under Strand Two of the GFA, representative of civil society and comprising social partners and other members with expertise in social, cultural, economic and other issues. The Government has worked to move the issue forward, submitting proposals to the Northern Ireland Executive for its consideration. We have also raised the issue at successive plenary meetings of the North South Ministerial Council.
