Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made to date following discussions regarding the need to progress the Bill of Rights in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23207/13]

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.’

I believe that all parties in this house will share my frustration at the lack of progress on a Bill of Rights and I will continue to engage actively with the British government and the Northern Ireland Executive on this issue.