A PRELIMINARY list of issues the two governments consider necessary, as a minimum, for the agendas of Strand One, Strand Two, Strand Three and the Business Committee was published yesterday.
The items for Strand One were suggested by the British government only. These include discussion of the requirements for a new beginning in relationships within Northern Ireland, possible principles and criteria for those arrangements and the question of the institutional and other implications of the discussions.
Topics listed as likely to arise include the nature of institutional arrangements for and within Northern Ireland, including the nature and extent of their powers, structures for exercising those powers, safeguards to maintain cross community confidence and financial arrangements.
The extent to which arrangements attract the support of both sides of the community and ensure equity of treatment, together with relationships with other institutions such as the Westminster parliament, any new North/South or intergovernmental bodies, as well as the EU are also listed as likely to arise.
Items for Strand Two include the requirements for a new beginning in relationships within the island of Ireland, including underlying realities, identity, allegiance and constitutional aspects.
Common interests, such as economic co-operation and development, the question of new institutional arrangements and the relationship of such arrangements to other structures such as the Dublin and London governments and parliaments, Northern Ireland structures, intergovernmental structures and the EU are items for the agenda. Also listed are measures to guarantee rights, and to implement, support and underwrite the new structures.
For Strand Three, the agenda will include opening presentations by the two governments and the establishment of necessary mechanisms to provide a meaningful role for the political parties in respect of Strand Three issues.
Also on the agenda will be an examination of the causes of the conflict in Northern Ireland, its impact, and its implications for the two governments, together with the principles and criteria which should underpin new arrangements, including a requirement to acknowledge and recognise the rights of the two major traditions in Ireland.
The institutional arrangements and provisions of any new agreement or structure, and the mechanisms needed to implement, support and underwrite any new arrangement or structure, together with constitutional issues, are also on the agenda. Arrangements for the protection of rights and for the approval and implementation of a comprehensive agreement are also to be considered.
Items listed for the Business Committee are the consideration of proposed changes to the rules of procedure drawn up by the governments for adoption in plenary, the adoption of an indicative calendar for the negotiations, possible consideration of a draft agenda and decisions on Strand Two venues.
