I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 12, inclusive, together.
I would refer Deputies to my reply to parliamentary questions in the House on 10 February last when I stated that the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-97 makes clear the Government's determination to work for an early resumption of political dialogue with the aim that all of the relationship involved will be comprehensively addressed in a spirit of openness and innovation; and that the Government is ready to discuss every issue and to incorporate all agreed changes.
I have repeated on many occasions my view that all constitutional issues should be on the table so that, in the words of the Programme for Government, a balanced accommodation of all constitutional issues could be arrived at. If other parties wish to discuss Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, it is only reasonable that Northern Nationalists would wish us to discuss the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, which is at the origin of the partition of Ireland. As I stated in my Dáil speech on 1 April, the partition of Ireland was presented in 1920 and reluctantly acquiesced in on the basis that it was a temporary expedient and that Ireland should be united under a single parliament in the long run. A Council of Ireland, the provisions for which were carried over into the Treaty of 1921, was to be established to facilitiate progress towards that end, through developing functional co-operation. The spirit of that compromise was subsequently lost or abandoned. Our Constitution was formulated in 1937 against that background. A new and balanced accommodation of all constitutional issues will need to take all these factors into account.
I gave no speech at the Arbour Hill commemoration, but spoke briefly to a reporter afterwards, which, I assume, is what Deputies are referring to. I was repeating a point made in the course of my Dáil speech. The underlying point is surely obvious. If we in this part of the island appear to walk away from constitutional nationalism by unilaterally abandoning our long-standing position with regard to Northern Ireland, the only form of nationalism left in entire possession of the field is a violent form of nationalism, which we all repudiate.
The Supreme Court judgment of 1 March 1990 clarified that Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution must be read in conjunction with Article 29, namely that Irish unity may be pursued by peaceful means only and that the Anglo-Irish Agreement is not — I repeat "not"— inconsistent with the Constitution and in particular with Articles 2, 3 and 29. Moreover, the Court's other conclusions included that Article 3 of the Constitution does not permit the enactment of laws applicable outside this jurisdiction.
There is therefore absolutely no incompatibility between Articles 2 and 3 and Article 1 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Therefore, it is strange to suggest that these Articles of the Constitution do not accord with or are inconsistent with the principle of unity by consent. In fact, the Supreme Court found in effect that the Articles did not need to be altered, by reason of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. There is nothing inconsistent with a constitutional imperative or goal being bound by the principle of agreement and consent in its implementation.
I reiterate the Government's commitment to the achievement of a lasting political settlement which will accommodate the two traditions in Ireland on equal terms, and which will bring about a new beginning for relationships within Northern Ireland, within the island of Ireland, and between the people of these islands.
I was very pleased to note the remarks of the British Prime Minister, Mr. John Major, during his recent visit to Northern Ireland in relation to a resumption of the talks process. In welcoming the Prime Minister's remarks, I stated that I had no doubt but that there would be full consultation between the Irish and the British Governments about any new initiative to reactivate the talks. There is an agreement in place whereby the Taoiseach and British Prime Minister meet twice yearly to discuss matters of mutual interest. Under this agreement, I last met the Prime Minister on 7 December 1992 here in Dublin. A date for our next meeting will, in accordance with normal practice, be announced close to the time of the meeting. I expect the meeting to take place around June.
I visited Derry on 16 April 1993 to attend the launch of the Secretariat of the Donegal, Derry, Strabane, Limavady Cross-Border group. During my visit, I met Lord Arran, Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State, who was deputising at the launch for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Sir Patrick Mayhew, MP. I also met the Leader of the SDLP, Mr. John Hume, the Deputy Mayor of Derry, Mrs. Annie Courtney, the Unionist Mayor of Limavady, Mr. Norman Reynolds, as well as other public and local community representatives in the north west region. I had an informal exchange of views with these individuals and others on a range of matters, including the development of the region, and the prospects for increased cross-Border co-operation in the context of the Single Market. I found these exchanges most useful and informative.