Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Would the Taoiseach accept that while the examples I gave were bold in terms of using a civic forum as a means of address, and realising that it would be the political entities that would ultimately make those changes, in the absence of any evidence of serious address of issues such as that of a common currency across the island of Ireland or tax harmonisation in the area of VAT, the making of such calls by an all-island civic forum would be a major impetus to the realisation of these important changes? Would he not accept that they could end up being the drivers of change? Our political voices, North and South, may be a little slower to tackle the fundamental changes that are necessary to have a positive impact on the daily living conditions of ordinary people throughout this island.

In the Taoiseach's response he acknowledged that it is his and the Government's intention to press ahead even after the many years that have gone by. Can he indicate what further steps he now proposes to take to bring about the establishment of the all-Ireland civic forum? For example, can he advise us whether he and the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, have directly addressed this matter or whether it is on the agenda for his next meeting with the Prime Minister? Will both Governments act in concert to help bring about the progress necessary to establish the all-Ireland civic forum?

In the course of the Taoiseach's responses he indicated having engaged with the social partners. Can he tell us what the response of the social partners has been in the discussions with him? Can he indicate whether parallel engagement with the social partners north of the Border in the Six Counties has also taken place, and what knowledge he has of the responses received there on this matter?

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