Mates sums up and warns of money problems for North-South body

Any North-South body which was the result of a settlement in Northern Ireland would come under financial constraints, a former…

Any North-South body which was the result of a settlement in Northern Ireland would come under financial constraints, a former Northern Ireland minister has warned.Mr Michael Mates MP was summing up the debate at the British-Irish Parliamentary Body which concluded its meeting in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, yesterday.The body was debating a motion congratulating those involved in the multi-party talks, looking forward to a successful outcome and the support of the people in the referendums.It was not envisaged that a North-South body would have any fund-raising powers, he said, though it might have the power to spend money allocated to it by the two governments. Mr Mates recalled the first meetings of the body, and said the atmosphere had changed from one of mutual suspicion to one of friendly debate.He agreed with Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain when he said there must be no return to unionist domination. But he reminded him that in a democracy the wishes of the majority were paramount, and the majority who had to live with any proposals emerging from the talks were the unionists.Mr O Caolain had started his contribution in Irish, saying Sinn Fein was working hard for the talks to succeed and he supported the motion. Continuing in English, he said Sinn Fein had no exit strategy, but progress was needed on all-Ireland bodies, constitutional change, equality and justice and demilitarisation.Mr Michael Colvin MP said there was a need for impartiality, especially on human rights and policing. He suggested the involvement of the Council of Europe in monitoring these areas.Mr John Home Robertson MP appealed for the transfer of two Scots Guards prisoners, Jim Fisher and Mark Wright, from Maghaberry Prison to one close to their families in Scotland. They are serving sentences for killing Peter MacBride. Mr Home Robertson said he had supported the transfer of Irish prisoners.He was supported by Senator Paschal Mooney. Mr Mates also supported him, and the co-chairman, Mr Michael O'Kennedy, added his voice to this appeal.Mr O'Kennedy also said the suggestions made by several delegates that the body have a special meeting or conference after the referendums would be considered.