Written answers

Tuesday, 8 March 2005

Department of Foreign Affairs

Northern Ireland Issues

8:00 pm

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the nature of his discussions with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin on 2 March 2005; his views on the prospects for political progress in the North ahead of the Westminster elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7702/05]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Paul Murphy MP, I co-chaired a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin on 2 March. I was accompanied at the meeting by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. The Secretary of State was accompanied by Mr. John Spellar MP and Mr. Ian Pearson MP, Ministers of State at the Northern Ireland Office. Copies of the communiqué of the meeting have been placed in the Oireachtas Library.

The conference reviewed recent political developments, including the impact on the process of the Northern Bank raid and the murder of Robert McCartney. The conference commended the dignity and courage of the McCartney family and called for those responsible to be made accountable before the courts. We also looked ahead to the period following the May elections and discussed the options open to the two Governments to achieve political progress. The Taoiseach subsequently met with Prime Minister Blair on 3 March in London to review the current political situation. The conference discussed a number of security and policing issues and reviewed the prospects for the forthcoming marching season, which it hoped would be peaceful and orderly.

Both Governments provided updates on the establishment of the inquiries recommended by Judge Cory. The Government requested that the Finucane inquiry be set up in line with the Weston Park commitments. On the general issue of dealing with the past, the conference noted the Secretary of State's recent announcement of the appointment of a Victims and Survivors Commissioner.

Both Governments reiterated their commitment to progressing work in the areas of equality and human rights and reviewed ongoing North/South and East/West activity within the framework of the Agreement. Following the conference, the Secretary of State and I signed a memorandum of understanding authorising TG4 to use a British frequency to broadcast in Northern Ireland. This further step in the implementation of the Agreement means that over 90% of the population of Northern Ireland will now be in a position to receive TG4.

Recent legislation to ensure carry over of the current electoral register in Northern Ireland was welcomed, as was work under way by the British Government which aims to make electoral registration more effective. The conference tasked officials to work together on the question of donations to political parties, so as to ensure that the long-term arrangements put in place are fair, transparent and in the spirit of the Agreement. In addition, the Government raised concerns about nationality requirements for public service posts in Northern Ireland and discussed the City of Derry airport and the issue of illegal dumping on the island of Ireland.

The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference is an important forum, through which the implementation of commitments under the Agreement can be driven forward by both Governments. Accordingly, the conference will meet again in May. In the meantime, consultations aimed at finding a political way forward will continue with the British Government and the parties. The Governments will continue to encourage all parties to fully adhere to democratic norms and will focus their energies on fully implementing the Agreement and realising its promise of a peaceful, democratic future for the people of Northern Ireland.

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