Dáil debates

Thursday, 20 May 2010

Other Questions.

Northern Ireland Issues

4:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the progress made to establish the North South Consultative Forum; his views on the outcome of the First North South Conference of 15 October 2009; and when discussions on the Forum will conclude [20885/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of the North-South consultative forum, provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, has been discussed with the Northern Ireland Executive at all the plenary meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council since the re-establishment of the Executive in May 2007. At those meetings, the Government delegation is led by the Taoiseach, while the Northern Ireland Executive delegation is led by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

The plenary meeting in July 2007 noted the intention of the Northern IrelandExecutive first to complete its review of the Northern Ireland civic forum, a body provided for in the Good Friday Agreement for consulting civic society in Northern Ireland. That review is still outstanding.

During 2008, the Government consulted with the social partners and various cross-Border and North-South groups on the establishment of the consultative forum. Following on from this we formally communicated our proposals to the Northern Ireland Executive on the role, format, membership and operation of the forum.

On 15 October 2009, as a contribution to the process leading to the establishment of the forum, the Government facilitated a consultative conference in Farmleigh involving the social partners and other civil society groups from across the island. The conference was opened by the Taoiseach. Participants from across the island came from all traditions, including representatives from business, the trade union movement, agriculture and the community and voluntary sector. There was a wide-ranging discussion on the role of civil society and its capacity to contribute meaningfully to cross-Border co-operation. There was strong support for further such engagement to explore specific areas for co-operation, North and South, at the level of civil society.

A further North-South consultative conference will take place in Dublin on 26 May. As on the occasion in October last, representatives from civil society from both parts of Ireland will participate. The key themes of the conference will relate to sport and young people and innovation, examining in particular the important role that innovation can play in economic recovery, North and South.

The establishment of the formal North-South consultative forum will be further discussed at the next plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council, scheduled for 5 July 2010. We will press strongly to have the matter brought to an early conclusion.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I am concerned that whereas the main items in the St. Andrews Agreement have been implemented, with the restoration of the Assembly, the establishment of the Executive and the transfer of policing functions, the agreement dates from 2006 and with regard to the question of the establishment of the forum and the related issue of the establishment of the North-South interparliamentary body, referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 18, the discussions seem to go on and on. I am very much in favour of both bodies because we have shared problems and I have no doubt there can be shared solutions. I see great potential for economic co-operation, cross-Border trade and shared responses to social issues and joint efforts to promote tolerance and understanding.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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A question please.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Is there any way of getting greater impetus for the establishment of these bodies? Let us have these outstanding aspects of the St. Andrews Agreement implemented.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I share the Deputy's views. He is correct to state that these are aspects of the St. Andrews Agreement and the Good Friday Agreement that have not yet been brought to full realisation. We take the establishment of both fora very seriously. Since the institutions were restored in 2007, we have urged and will continue to urge the early establishment of the consultative forum following the completion by the Northern Ireland Executive of its review of the Northern Ireland Civic Forum. The fact that has not been completed has delayed things somewhat. To cut to the chase, we hope that there may be a new impetus post the Hillsborough agreement and a new dynamic is emerging within the Executive. There have been moves in terms of the parliamentary forum. A conference is taking place, which is an important first step in terms of dialogue between both Parliaments.

On the forum, we had a very useful meeting at Farmleigh and will have a further meeting next week on 26 May. It will be co-chaired by representatives of civil society, including Mary Davis of Special Olympics Ireland and David Humphreys, the retired rugby player from Northern Ireland.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Trevor Ringland.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will revert to the Deputy on that. As the Deputy will appreciate, we cannot unilaterally establish this. It is not an option which is open to us. We are in a better space now, post-Hillsborough than prior to it.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister give a ballpark indication of when he expects to see both of these bodies established? Will he commit himself to ensure that, as far as possible on this part of the island, a renewed impetus will be put into getting these two bodies under way, comh tapaigh agus is féidir linn?

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There has been plenty of impetus on this side. Let us be fair. The Farmleigh conference is evidence of a genuine desire to explore the issues. The conference next week is similar. One thing one does not do in Northern Ireland is set dates, as I know from the past 18 months. What tends to happen if one sets a date is that the determination is any time beyond that date. I have no intention of setting a date. The momentum is in the right area. In this jurisdiction we have significant experience of such fora in operation and have fewer issues or concerns about them. In Northern Ireland, I sometimes pick up that people have different perspectives on that.

I was in north Belfast last week and visited the Tiger's Bay and New Lodge area, which had considerable challenges throughout the Troubles and latterly. It is interesting to see how many civic society and community groups are now working together very effectively in the local area and genuinely moving things forward, in terms of community integration. I am very committed to this and the Deputy should take it that we will work closely with him.