Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 36, inclusive, together.

The last 12 months have seen significant and welcome progress in the peace process. The St. Andrews Agreement, which the two Governments published on 13 October, is built on the twin pillars of power sharing and support for policing. It contains an explicit timetable leading to the restoration of the power sharing Executive on 26 March.

I met Prime Minister Blair in London yesterday to review progress on the implementation of the St. Andrews Agreement. We remain fixed in our determination to see shared government returned to the people of Northern Ireland. Since St. Andrews, we have agreed practical changes to the operation of the institutions, we have announced financial packages to help underpin restoration and we have made progress across a range of equality, human rights, victims and social exclusion issues.

Yesterday's IMC report confirms that the decision of the Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis on policing contains all the necessary elements of support for policing and criminal justice set out in the St. Andrews Agreement. This opens the prospect of inclusive support for policing across the entire community. I welcome this landmark step and the important follow-up comments that have since been made by the Sinn Féin leadership. The IMC report also provides further clear evidence and reassurance that the IRA's campaign is over for good.

Our purpose now is to ensure that Northern Ireland can build on all of these positive developments through the restoration of shared accountable government committed to serving all of the people. There is no reason for any further delay.

The Assembly election due to be held on 7 March is an integral part of the process and timetable agreed at St. Andrews. It is being held for the explicit purposes of endorsing the St. Andrews Agreement and of electing an Assembly that will form a power-sharing Executive on 26 March in accordance with that Agreement and timeframe. That is the single purpose of this election. The terms are clear: support for policing, support for power sharing and a deadline of 26 March. That is what acceptance of the St. Andrews Agreement means.

The Governments are proceeding on the basis that all parties understand and accept this position and that they also understand that the Assembly to be elected on 7 March will be dissolved, in accordance with the law, if it fails to meet its legal responsibilities fully by 26 March.

We will proceed on the basis of new partnership arrangements in the event this is necessary. However, we have made clear that this is not our preferred outcome. After four years of suspension, the people of Northern Ireland are entitled to see devolved government restored and their elected representatives working actively and openly for them in a fully restored Assembly and shared Government.

I have been advised by the Attorney General that no referendum is required in this jurisdiction on the St. Andrews Agreement as the changes effected by this Agreement do not constitute fundamental changes to the Good Friday Agreement.

I also took the opportunity at my meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Blair to raise the issue of collusion, particularly in light of the ombudsman's recent report. The British Government is well aware of the widespread concern on this issue and of the need to find some means to address this regrettable and disturbing aspect of the Troubles.

As at all stages in this process, contact is maintained at different levels with the British Government and with all of the political parties in Northern Ireland. The Government also remains in close contact with the United States Administration whose ongoing support for the process is deeply appreciated. I had the opportunity yesterday to meet with Ambassador Mitchell Reiss and Ms Paula Dobriansky who will succeed Mr. Reiss as the United States Special Envoy on Northern Ireland.

I take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Reiss for his involvement and contribution over the last four years. I also wish Ms Dobriansky well in her new role. I look forward to working closely with her and President Bush over the coming period as we seek to take the final steps flowing from the St. Andrews Agreement.

I next expect to meet President Bush during my visit to the US to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in March. The final programme for this visit has yet to be finalised. I expect to participate in the traditional ceremonies at the White House and on Capitol Hill in the course of my visit and I will also attend the American Ireland Fund Dinner. I also expect the programme to include events in New York.

As I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions, I am proceeding, taking account of the views expressed by the other party leaders, with the proposal to establish a new joint Oireachtas committee on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and North-South co-operation. This is such an important national issue that it fully merits the attention of a dedicated committee. I have asked the Chief Whip to discuss the practical arrangements with the Opposition whips with a view to obtaining all-party agreement.

The question of further sessions of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation will be kept under review. As of now, there are no plans for a further meeting.

It has been the practice for the past number of years to meet the Ireland-America Advisory Board over the St. Patrick's Day period and I expect to do so again this year. My Department maintains contact with the board primarily through the embassy in Washington as well as through mutual visits and meetings. As the House will be aware, board members give voluntarily of their time and expertise in a number of ways. I welcome and greatly appreciate their ongoing advice and support.

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