Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, to the House and ask him to pass on my comments and views on the Adjournment matter I raise to the Taoiseach at his convenience. I have raised the need to reconvene the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation arising from my concern not simply at the events of recent days in Northern Ireland but at the drift which has occurred in recent weeks and months which should cause all of us to reflect on the fact that the relative peace which we have had in the northern part of the island since 1994 is not a permanent given and must be worked upon and further developed and bedded down.

You were in this House 20 years ago, a Chathaoirligh, in May 1994 when a ceasefire had not been declared. You will recall that in both this House and in the other House statements were required on a monthly and sometimes a weekly basis in response to various atrocities, murder and mayhem on the streets of Northern Ireland. Then in the autumn of 1994 the IRA ceasefire was declared following years of hard work by various politicians from virtually every political party. That helped lead to a process whereby we have enjoyed a relative peace on this island since then.

One of the developments which played a significant role in building a political process and getting people from different backgrounds into one room was the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. It was at the instigation of the then Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, that the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation met for the first time in October or November 1994. Over the course of the next two years or so it met on approximately 40 separate occasions. The representatives of virtually every political party in the Republic of Ireland and a significant number of political parties in Northern Ireland came together to discuss problems and solutions and tried to plan for a shared future based on mutual respect, trust and peace. It was a unique forum. As a participant I found the divergence of views interesting. Of note was the respect in which submissions were held and the robust nature of the debate and engagement on some occasions. It all added to a mix which worked in getting people to think about future co-operation on this island. The forum served a significant purpose.

Sometimes the phrase “a political talking shop” has negative connotations. One could suggest perhaps that the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation was a political talking shop but I have always thought it was a case of the more talk the better in the context of Northern Ireland politics. At least when people are around the same table no matter what their background or where they are coming from politically or going to, having people speak face to face means progress is at least possible. A huge amount has been achieved but, uniquely, the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation did not conclude, it simply adjourned. The then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, was in charge at the time. The official position was that should a future set of circumstances require it, the forum could meet again. I previously suggested that it would be an ideal vehicle to tease out and consider the prospect of a truth and reconciliation commission. What we have seen recently in Northern Ireland must be a warning shot that we cannot be sure of permanent peace on the island and that work is required. We must recognise the victims and the atrocities and that much healing is still required.

I do not expect a significant statement from the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, but I would urge him to encourage the Taoiseach to contemplate bringing together again all the political parties who wish to be involved in the process. They all have something to add. One difficulty I have perceived during the past decade is that dialogue is very much Government to Government, in addition to one or two of the political parties in Northern Ireland – depending on whoever is in charge at the time – making the political running. All of those who are interested in the topic have something to say. The forum brought all voices - some politically strong, others weak - to the table and made significant progress. I respectfully suggest that 20 years after the IRA ceasefire and what we all hoped would be the beginning of a new island and a new Ireland – to some extent that has been achieved – we should look back at what worked well. The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation did work very well. It could work equally well in the course of the next few months and years to discuss other matters, not just in terms of the current political situation but in terms of the need for a truth and reconciliation commission, the need to engage with victims, and to ensure a stable political environment on the island. I ask the Minister of State to please pass on my comments to the Taoiseach at his convenience.