Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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104. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress being made on the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17257/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government remains firmly committed to ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Good Friday and St. Andrew's Agreements. I will also continue to urge all the parties in the Assembly to engage in constructive discussion with a view to reaching agreement on the substance of a Bill of Rights. A Bill of Rights drawn up by agreement between the main parties of the Assembly could set out precisely and formally the rights upon which a shared society for Northern Ireland can be based. Some of the contentious issues around parades, flags and identities have at their heart rights issues and a Bill of Rights is the key to dissolving the obstacles to progress on these issues. As I said in a speech in Belfast last year :

Human rights and equality are fundamental to building a stable future for the island of Ireland. They are necessary for a solid, unshakeable, foundation for a lasting peace. A clear expression of these rights in a formal Bill of Rights can act as a touchstone.