Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Dr. Haass has set the objective of having the talks concluded by the end of the year. It is an ambitious timetable. I discussed the timetable with him and he expressed confidence in being able to conclude the discussions. It is important to recognise that he will only be able to reach a conclusion provided there is political commitment and a political will on the part of all parties involved.

In that respect, the Irish and British Governments - I have discussed this with the Secretary of State and we are of one mind on it - are in close contact with the officials in the talks process. We very much welcome that this initiative was taken in Belfast by the Executive, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. We are working with it and I have a continuing contact and dialogue with Dr. Haass, which we will maintain. The success of the process will depend to a large measure on the willingness of the parties in Northern Ireland to fully engage with the process and work to find solutions on the issues of flags parading, and, most important, the very difficult issue of the past.

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