Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on recent comments from the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that the salaries and allowances of MLAs elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly may shortly be terminated; his view on whether this represents a threat to the maintenance of democratic culture in Northern Ireland as only those of independent or other means will be able to maintain a living through politics; his further views on whether this threatens the livelihoods of an entire generation of politicians in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6989/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the recent comments by the Secretary of State to which the Deputy refers were made in the context of the need to make political progress in Northern Ireland in 2006. The Secretary of State made the point that salaries and allowances continue to be paid to elected members of institutions that have not met since 2002 and expressed the view that tax-payers and voters would not put up with this situation indefinitely. In that context, he urged the parties to engage with the political process. He said that in the absence of political progress by the summer, he would have to review the issue of salaries.

The focus of the two Governments is clearly on the restoration of the political institutions of the Good Friday Agreement at the earliest practicable opportunity. The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Blair made it very clear at their meeting on 26 January at Farmleigh that 2006 is the decisive year for the peace process. The Governments remain convinced that those best placed to lay the foundations for a prosperous and peaceful future for Northern Ireland are the political parties themselves. It is for this reason that the Secretary of State and I are engaging in the current round of talks in a joint effort to set out the arrangements and timetable for the restoration of the institutions.

It is clear that we have an ambitious goal. It is also clear that the parties must work with us to enable the necessary trust to be rebuilt in order that the restored institutions will have solid and stable foundations. The Taoiseach said in the Dáil last week that: "The solution is to end the debate by creating trust and confidence for everybody to make the necessary decisions". I am determined that our current work should lead to progress in this regard, to enable the elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland to once again make important decisions on behalf of their constituents, within the framework of the devolved institutions. I believe this is the best way to sustain the democratic culture and foster the next generation of politicians in Northern Ireland.