Seanad debates
Thursday, 28 November 2002
British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage.
These bodies were set up in December 1999, so three years on they need reaffirmation. However, while this is a reaffirmation it is also a statement in itself. The Bill, technical though it is, is a statement of faith and resolution because it says that these North-South Implementation Bodies, which come directly from the Good Friday Agreement, the Ministerial Councils between North and South and the Assembly, which is sadly now suspended, are part of what is going to make Ireland work together for the future. Senator Bradford was right to emphasise that the Assembly and its Ministers went about their business, as did the North-South Ministerial Council and these bodies. Those activities are no longer a great wonder, which is a fine tribute. If one said daily that it was marvellous that certain people were meeting and working together, then it would be a wonder in the wrong way. People have knuckled down, established headquarters and plans, received budgets – we contribute two thirds of those – and they are busy, which is great. I thought the Assembly and its Ministers were powerful also.
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