Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.

I met Richard Haass in New York last week to discuss his work and the issues he has been asked to address by the Northern Ireland Executive. These issues comprise parades, flags and emblems and the past. Dr. Haass has committed to concluding his work by December and, to that end, he has embarked on an ambitious programme of work. My meeting with him in New York last week followed an earlier telephone conversation on 13 September. Our discussions to date have provided a valuable opportunity to consider these issues and to get his assessment of the way forward. I had met the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, on 23 September in advance of my meeting with Richard Haass on 25 September. When we met, I stressed to Dr. Haass that both Governments were determined to maintain and build on all the hard-won progress that has been achieved in Northern Ireland and that he, vice-chair Meghan O’Sullivan and their team have the full support of the Government in the difficult task that lies ahead.

Following my visit to Belfast on 29 August, I support in particular the wide process of consultation with civic society undertaken by Dr. Haass and Dr. O’Sullivan. A broad spectrum of people who are not part of the political process need to be given an opportunity to contribute to the debate on these difficult societal issues. Civil society has an important role to play in determining the best way forward. I am very pleased, therefore, that more than 100 groups and individuals have made written submissions to the process to date. I encourage all interested individuals and organisations and other representatives of wider society to consider making a written submission to this important process. I look forward to further close contact with Dr. Haass and his team over the coming months, and I hope to welcome him to Dublin during his next round of discussions.

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