Cabinet to discuss powers for all-Ireland bodies

The powers which should be devolved from the Dail to North-South "executive implementation bodies" will be decided by the Cabinet at a special all-day meeting on Monday week.

This was announced by the Taoiseach on his arrival in Toronto yesterday to meet Irish-Canadian groups in advance of tomorrow's St Patrick's Day parade through the city.

Mr Ahern also said he was now satisfied the British would concede changes in Section 75 of the Government of Ireland Act in return for amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution.

Mr Ahern said he had asked every Department last Christmas to set out areas where powers could usefully be devolved to meaningful North-South bodies and more than 20 areas had been presented for discussion.

He said the shape of the overall agreement on the North was now becoming clear "even if many of the details have yet to be negotiated".

"In essence, a settlement will involve balanced constitutional change, Northern Ireland institutions including an assembly exercising devolved executive and legislative responsibility, a North-South Ministerial Council and North-South executive implementation bodies, an East-West Intergovernmental Council and a standing intergovernmental machinery for co-operation on non-devolved matters, rights and equality of treatment provisions, and effective and practical measures to establish and consolidate an acceptable peaceful society." He continued that Strand 1 required more engagement by the parties in the North; Strand 2 needed the unionists to move "somewhat"; and he (Mr Ahern) was open enough on Strand 3 once it was not "this over-riding umbrella which embraces everything else".

"I am not really worried about the argument about changes in Articles 2 and 3 vis-a-vis the Government of Ireland Act. That issue is not finalised but it has been dealt with," he added.

Asked if he was satisfied that the British would concede changes in the Government of Ireland Act, Mr Ahern said he was. Admitting they were still having problems about the North-South dimension, the Taoiseach said it was a question of the British moving the unionists.

Asked if Mr Blair accepted his position on them, he replied: "He knows that I have accepted institutional arrangements in Strand 1. They are not saleable without North-South bodies."