Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Yes, the entire population.

Unless someone produces a proposal, it does not follow that we are moving outside the Agreement. Hitherto, there has been none. Quite frankly, I hope there will be none, other than the review that was successfully carried out but not implemented. The review, which concluded on 7 December 2004, covered the Good Friday Agreement, and represented an entitlement of the parties in the Assembly. There is nothing outside that, but if there were, we would consult. However, we will not consult in advance on something totally hypothetical at this stage. It would be useful if the Assembly discussed those proposals in properly constituted session.

It could discuss other issues too. A great many reforms are being implemented in Northern Ireland in the absence of a political process. It is not a matter of one party in the Assembly being signed up, since none is. Yesterday, there was a large-scale reform of many agencies in the North. They have had issues regarding education, health and everything else without any involvement from elected politicians in Northern Ireland.

I have been urging them all that it is in no one's interest. I know the parties' views, but we should get the Assembly up and running, even if it does not automatically move to the executive, which I believe it should. Even if the executive met tomorrow, not all the parties are ready to move to an executive. It is only stating the obvious and the facts, but at least if we had some dialogue and movement, we could do so. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has been involved in multi-party talks. As the Deputy is aware, they have worked in various formations this year, and there has been very little engagement between the two Governments and all the parties. One might ask whether that is the alternative. It is a helpful process as long as people are talking, but it is not as good as having the Assembly meet.

The British Prime Minister and I will meet on Friday in Brussels, where we hope to work on the matter further. We aim to be able to present our position in early April, and certainly before Easter.

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