Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he has had with the Executive and with the British Government regarding the establishment of the All-Ireland Consultative Civic Forum. [15872/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of the establishment of the North-South Consultative Forum, provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, has been discussed with the Northern Ireland Executive within the framework of the North/South Ministerial Council on a number of occasions.

At the first plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council since the re-establishment of the Northern Ireland Executive, which took place in Armagh in July 2007, the Council noted that the Government would consult with the social partners on the matter. It also noted the review of arrangements for consulting civic society in Northern Ireland and agreed to consider the matter once that review is complete.

At its plenary meeting in Dundalk in February 2008, the North-South Ministerial Council noted the completion of the Government's consultation with social partners on the subject of the North South Consultative Forum and noted the position as previously outlined for reviewing the Civic Forum in Northern Ireland.

The North-South Ministerial Council most recently considered the matter at its plenary meeting in Derry on 23 January last, which I attended. The plenary meetings are co-chaired by the Taoiseach and the First and deputy First Minister and attended by Government and Executive Ministers. On that occasion, the Council noted the Government's proposals on the role, format, membership and operation of such a North-South Consultative Forum, which were prepared following the Government's consultation with the social partners and various cross-border and North/South groups in 2008. The Council also noted the progress made in reviewing the Civic Forum in Northern Ireland and agreed to return to consider the matter of the Consultative Forum once the review of the Northern Ireland Civic Forum is complete.