63rd British Irish Parliamentary Assembly concludes in Belfast

Lawmakers from the Oireachtas and all the legislatures of the United Kingdom and the Crown Dependencies gathered to discuss matters of mutual interest, principally the upcoming 25th anniversary of the signature of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

In their opening remarks, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Sir John Holmes, knighted for services to peace in Northern Ireland under Sir John Major and Sir Tony Blair, both paid tribute to the work of the Assembly and its importance in strengthening bi-lateral ties.

Mr Ahern and Sir John called on parties in Northern Ireland to build on the momentum of the recent breakthrough regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol and to return to Stormont to take their seats in the Assembly.

Mr Ahern's key role in the build up to the Good Friday Agreement was highlighted by Sir John, who recalled how Mr Ahern's return to negotiations directly after his mother's funeral was decisive in bringing the Ulster Unionist Party back to discussions during a tense period in the negotiations.

British Vice Chair Karin Smyth MP hosted a panel discussion with members of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, and Dr Jonny Byrne of Ulster University’s School of Criminology addressed BIPA members on Policing under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

Members of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly unanimously adopted a motion on the contribution of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement which recognised the achievements under the Agreement to date while acknowledging the need for more work to address the impact of the Troubles on Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the conclusion of the plenary, British Co-Chair Karen Bradley MP commented: “Today, British and Irish politicians sat as one in the Stormont Assembly Chamber. Doing so would have been unthinkable before the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

“That we were there, though, is evidence that part of the Agreement is under strain. Indeed, the view that the arrangements made under the Agreement, while having being a cornerstone for peace for 25 years, have still not yet reached their full potential, was expressed by several of those who addressed the Assembly.

The Agreement’s institutions must be supported to deliver to their full potential. That potential can only be reached if stronger bonds of trust between those of all traditions who work to further peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland are encouraged to flourish. The British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly is committed to strengthening these ties so that lawmakers on both sides of the Irish Sea, and across these islands, can always meet in friendship even where we do not always see eye-to-eye politically.”

Irish Co-Chair Brendan Smith TD commented, “This extraordinary plenary meeting that took place in Stormont was a great opportunity to reflect on the UK-Ireland bilateral relationship and developing stronger interparliamentary dialogue between Westminster, the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly.”

“The upcoming 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement provides us with a time to reflect on how far we have come in terms of peace on this island and the recent attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell is a reminder of how much we have to lose.”

“Relations between Ireland and the UK have come under sustained pressure in recent years but regardless of the political realities, we must ensure continued dialogue between our parliaments and a forum to have a respectful exchange of views and a strong government and parliamentary bilateral partnership.”