THE FOLLOWING is the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting of the Anglo Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Belfast last night:
1. A meeting of the Anglo Irish Intergovernmental Conference was held in Belfast on November 20th, 1996.
2. The Irish Government were represented by the Joint Chairman, Mr Dick Spring TD, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was accompanied by Mrs Nora Owen TD, Minister for Justice. The British Government were represented by the Joint Chairman, Sir Patrick Mayhew QC MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, who was accompanied by, the Rt Hon Michael Ancram MP, Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office. The Commissioner of the Garda Siochana and the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, who were attending the Conference for the first time in their respective capacities, were present for discussion of security matters.
Political Matters
3. The Conference reviewed developments in the political talks process.
4. The two Governments reiterated their commitment to the achievement of a comprehensive political settlement which would provide lasting peace and stability. They agreed that an inclusive and comprehensive talks process offered the best means of achieving such a settlement. They affirmed the hope of both Governments that there would be an early and unequivocal restoration of the IRA ceasefire as the necessary enabling condition for a fully inclusive talks process.
5. The Conference considered the current position in the light of developments to date in the talks, with particular reference to decommissioning. The two Governments reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of all aspects of the Report of the International Body, including their support for the approach set out in paragraphs 34-35 of the report, as the best possible basis for progress in relation to decommissioning. They expressed the hope that all other participants would work with them to secure the implementation of all aspects of the Report of the International Body, and join with them now in effecting the earliest possible transition into substantive three stranded negotiations on this basis. They reiterated their view that progress should be made on the basis of an inclusive and dynamic process in which mutual trust and confidence is built as progress is made on all the issues of concern to all participants.
Security Situation
6. The Conference reviewed the current security situation with the Chief Constable and the Commissioner. It congratulated both the Commissioner and Chief Constable on a number of important recent successes, including finds of weaponry and arrests.
Confidence Issues
7. The Conference considered the measures which are being taken by the security forces in response to the current security threat. It reaffirmed the willingness of both Governments to adjust their response if there should be reductions in that threat.
8. The Conference reviewed recent parades and discussed the prospects for next year's marching season. It underlined the need for those engaged in the planning of parades and the local communities involved to engage in dialogue, and to exercise compromise and balance in the interests of the community as a whole, with a view to reaching early agreements between all concerned. It looked forward in this context to the report of the Independent Review of Parades and Marches in Northern Ireland and recognised that early follow up on the report's proposals would be an important factor in easing tensions in advance of next year's parades. The Conference recalled its longstanding view that the right to demonstrate must be exercised with respect for the sensitivities of others and with regard for public order.
9. Ministers discussed a number of prisons issues and noted recent prisoner transfers from the UK to the Republic.
10. The Conference also considered a number of reviews of policing matters which are in progress at present. It noted that the need, to ensure that policing arrangements in Northern Ireland are impartial, sensitive to both traditions and command widespread acceptance across the whole community would be an important issue for discussion in the political negotiations.
Economic and Social Issues
11. The Conference considered recent progress in the work which it had commissioned into ways of improving and extending RTE and Teilifis na Gaeilge reception in Northern Ireland. It looked forward to early agreement on this subject.
12. It also welcomed the recent decision to recognise Bunscoil an Iuir in Newry and looked forward to the continuing facilitating of parental choice as regards Irish language schooling in Northern Ireland.
13. It also discussed the future of the Springvale Project.