Dr. Anthony Soares:

On the representation of women's groups in the development of the common charter, it just so happens there were two primary target groups our centre had when we started going down this road. One was women's groups and the other was the PUL community along the Border. We believed that if we were to get a real vision for co-operation and test the appetite for cross-Border co-operation, we should try to speak to some of those who might not have an automatically positive outlook. We believed we should start with more challenging groups. On women's groups, we have responded to consultations on Ireland's national action plan for UN Security Council Resolution 1325. We have always pointed out that women's groups and women have always been at the forefront of peace and reconciliation processes here on the island but do not necessarily see it translated into policy and its shaping. That is a reason we wanted to include women's group's. There are other groups also involved in the development of the common charter.

I will not necessarily say anything about the Scottish referendum or Border poll in terms of allaying people's fears but I will talk about dialogue. Whatever comes down the track, if people, including community groups of all shapes and sizes, north, south, east and west, are talking to each other, they can confront all sorts of challenges and seize all sorts of opportunities. In order for us to do so, we have to be talking to each other. As we were doing this project, we noted the lack of knowledge we have of one another. Twenty years after the Good Friday Agreement, we still do not know how we live or who governs in our various jurisdictions. People have no idea who the Taoiseach and First Ministers of Scotland or Northern Ireland are. There is a lack of knowledge of political structures so we have to overcome that and continue the conversation.

On Scottish representation in this project in the development of the new common charter and on the Welsh and English aspects, although the English one is a little more challenging, the Good Friday Agreement binds us all together. We wanted to get this across. The Good Friday Agreement is not just about a corner of the island of Ireland or the whole island; it brings everybody together. We are all part of it. Our Scottish friends are as much part of it as our Welsh friends. We are all co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. Obviously, ultimate responsibility lies with the Irish and UK Governments but we should not just wash our hands of it and just let them get on with it. We should avoid moments of crisis and know when they are coming down the tracks. We should all take responsibility as co-guarantors of the Agreement and make it a living document, not just a piece of paper. Our Scottish, Welsh and English friends are also part of it, not to forget the Isle of Man and Channel Islands.