Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ferris for his comments.

This is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality. Work has commenced on the legislation. I expect it will be enacted to allow for its operation in 2016. I expect the heads of the Bill to be published later in the summer. With regard to the consultative process, the Deputy is aware that, like all items of legislation, the Bill will go to the appropriate committee in the first instance, the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, for consideration and discussion. Given the important role of this committee, I imagine it is possible in these circumstances for contact to be made between the Chairman of this committee and the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for participation. In the circumstances, such an arrangement is appropriate. As far as publication is concerned, I will ask the Department of Justice and Equality to notify the Chairman when the heads of the Bill will be published.

I acknowledge the comments of Deputy Ferris on community relations and the active and positive role of the committee. There was a constructive meeting only last week, which I acknowledge. I value it from a Government perspective and it is important in the context of the overall objective to have a climate of stability, peace and reconciliation. With regard to outstanding commitments from previous agreements, Deputy Ferris is aware these issues were considered in the context of the Stormont House talks. Throughout the talks, from September to Christmas Eve, we maintained the view that the best way to strengthen peace and reconciliation across the island is to implement fully the commitments undertaken in previous agreements. Ultimately, the Stormont House Agreement did not see as much progress on some of these matters as I would have wished but nevertheless the agreement contains important elements, including the provision of civic advisory panel and endorsement by the British Government of the principle of respect for, and recognition of, the Irish language in Northern Ireland. Notwithstanding the content and form of the Stormont House Agreement, the Government remains committed to the full implication of previous agreements. We will take advantage of every opportunity to move forward on this important work. Each agenda of the North-South Ministerial Council contains a headline issue on the matter of progress.

Deputy Martin Ferris specifically mentioned the bill of rights and I wished to see the setting up of a bill of rights for Northern Ireland but there was not the appropriate level of consensus in the context of these talks. The agreement enshrines many of the principles the Government expects to see in any eventual bill of rights. In it, parties commit to serving the people of Northern Ireland equally, to act in accordance with the obligations of government to promote equality and respect and to prevent discrimination, and to promote a culture of tolerance and mutual respect and mutual understanding. There will be other opportunities to avail of in securing progress on these issues. I acknowledge there are outstanding matters that need to be progressed.

On the matter of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the Government supports the all-party Dáil motions of July 2008 and May 2011 encouraging the British Government to allow access by an independent judicial figure to all original documents in its possession relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I raised the issue on several occasions with the Secretary of State, including on her visit to Dublin in February. I am assured she will consider afresh how best the British Government can respond to these Dáil motions but I acknowledge we have not made the level of progress I would have wished. I continue to raise the issue and I will keep the committee informed of any progress in this regard.

On the matter of Mr. Pat Finucane, the position of the Irish Government remains unchanged. We continue to support the call of the Finucane family on the British Government to establish an independent public inquiry into the murder of Mr. Pat Finucane in line with commitments already made by both Governments at Weston Park in 2001. I have reiterated the position to the Secretary of State on her visit to Dublin in February and the response on her part is in line with the response of the British Prime Minister that the de Silva report and the apology by Prime Minister Cameron to the family constituted the Government's response to the case. I will continue to urge for full compliance with commitments already agreed and made at Weston Park.