Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit atá sa Teach chun an Bille um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann (Leasú) 2006 a phlé. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil suim an-mhór ag an Aire Stáit san ábhar seo agus go mbeidh dul chun cinn á dhéanamh idir an Bhreatain agus an tír seo.

I welcome the Bill, which refers to the North-South Implementation Bodies. It was regrettable that the intended bodies were exchanged with the areas of co-operation in the latter stages of the Belfast Agreement, which meant that the more meaningful and impactive areas of policy became the areas of co-operation. Nonetheless, I welcome the thrust of the legislation because the Special European Union Programmes Body has made a significant contribution in dealing with issues that arose as a consequence of the Troubles and tackling the question of reconciliation. I had an interest in commending the body because when I was chairman of the Local Authority Members Association, in conjunction with our counterpart in Northern Ireland, the National Association of Councillors, we developed very good and deep friendships over a number of years which culminated in the establishment of the Confederation of European Councillors on a North-South basis. It comprised elected members of all the political parties on the island and it was a unique project. The parties could not have worked together without the assistance and support of the SEUPB.

While the thrust of the activities involved council exchanges, a yearbook, conferences and dealing with topics of mutual interest, which received a great deal of support, I was saddened by the ill-informed thinking of a number of our media, especially the Irish Independent and "Morning Ireland", which denigrated a number of conferences held in Europe, and that was a pity. In one instance, a photographer based in the city where the conference was hosted was sent with instructions to ensure he took photographs of councillors in a social setting. The intent was to damage the initiative rather than recognise the good being done. I recall chatting over a drink late at night at one conference with a member of Sinn Féin who had been in the IRA and an Independent Unionist who had been in the UVF. Both men had served significant terms in prison for bombing offences but their exchange of viewpoints and stories clearly illustrated what could be achieved for the future if people of different political persuasions interacted with each other. The negative publicity generated by these conferences has undermined them, which is regrettable.

I welcome the Minister of State's comment that the North-South Ministerial Council will undertake consultation, co-operation and action on all matters of mutual interest to the benefit of the people, North and South. That is positive because it will address the legacy of the conflict, but I have a strong criticism in this regard. No effective effort has been made to deal with the issue of collusion and the position of the victims of violence. Within an hour, a committee of the Houses will issue a report, which will clearly illustrate the volume of evidence it has received outlining the extent of collusion and the fact it was known at the highest level within the police force in the North, the British Army and, regrettably, the Northern Ireland Office and Whitehall. These murders could not have continued without the acquiescence, if not the direction, of those in senior positions. While many of the victims are of the opinion that nobody will be brought to justice for these heinous crimes, the least they expect is an apology and an acknowledgement of the collusion and the fact that it should not have happened. The Government needs to establish an effective mechanism such as an inquiry to get to the bottom of this issue. Otherwise, it will fester into the future, which would be detrimental to the good relations to which we aspire.

It also could be detrimental to British interests for a variety of reasons. First, it would affect the credibility of the British Government in its campaign in the war on terror if it continues to cover up atrocities of its own making in the past. Second, it would inhibit genuine and trustworthy relations between both jurisdictions and Governments in future. Third, it would provide recruiting fodder to those who seek to oppose the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. The British have made this mistake in the past and they prolonged the Troubles as a result. Fourth, it would also mean the British have failed to meet the solemn commitment given in the Belfast Agreement to assist the victims of the Troubles to achieve closure on their pain and suffering. Many issues of self-interest should encourage the British to co-operate with a strong effort by the Government to bring this sad chapter in our history to a conclusion, thus allowing the victims who suffered to move on.