31 Oct 2013, 15:11
A cross-party delegation of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement this afternoon engaged with Dr Richard Haass on his work towards consensus among Northern Ireland parties on parading, flags and emblems, and the past.
31 October 2013
Dr Haass, a former US Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, is the Independent Chair of the Panel of Parties established by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and is working towards measurable progress on these three issues by December. Dr Haass' visit to Dublin also took in meetings with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore TD and civil society representatives.
Led by Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD, the delegation included Deputies Seán Crowe TD, Jack Wall TD and Seán Conlon TD and Senators Mary White and Jim D’Arcy. They exchanged views with Dr Haass on the Committee’s outreach work with community groups across Northern Ireland and the border region.
Deputy McHugh TD says: “Our cross-party Committee warmly welcomed the opportunity to meet with Dr Richard Haass this afternoon. In briefing Dr Haass and his team on our work, we highlighted our regular visits to communities north of the border. These visits have been aimed at providing solidarity and a listening ear for those local leaders at the vanguard of promoting reconciliation, tolerance and mutual respect between these and other communities across the island. As a Committee, we are all too aware of how the trauma of the Troubles has lingered, particularly in working class areas.”
“While the Good Friday Agreement is 15 years old, the peace process is still very much in its infancy. Dr Haass’ ambitious work in helping resolve some of the most contentious issues will undoubtedly support the journey towards genuine and lasting peace in Northern Ireland. With regard to the legacy challenges, the Committee is acutely aware that a ‘one hat fits all’ solution will not work in addressing the very complex sensitivities of the past. With that in mind, the Committee stands ready to assist Dr Haass and his team in ensuring that a diverse range of voices who can contribute to the next phase of the process are heard.”
Ends
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paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies: Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Michael P Kitt, Joe McHugh (Chair), Joe O’Reilly (Vice-Chair), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Brendan Smith, Joanna Tuffy and Jack Wall
Senators: Maurice Cummins (Leader of the House), Jim D’Arcy, Mary Moran and Mary White