Self-imposed absence from NI talks will not block progress - Spring

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dick Spring, T.D., said today that the Government would not allow "the self-imposed absence of any party to stand in the way of the energetic pursuit of the fullest measure of progress we can achieve in dialogue between the Governments and the parties at the table" when the multi-party talks resume on 3 June. He added that the Government would be looking to ensure that the negotiations are pursued with greater purpose and that they move on to substantive work in the three strands.

The Tánaiste observed that the depressingly slow progress in the negotiations could be attributed to a number of factors but said that "the IRA's cynical and reckless campaign of violence - rightly characterised by Cardinal Daly as "completely irrational" - is a continuing source of fear and suspicion which fuels the arguments of those who, whether from conviction or tactics, question the very concept of inclusive negotiations".

Mr Spring was addressing the Dáil Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and said that he wholly and unreservedly condemned those who "intensify polarisation and mutual antipathy between the communities in the North, whether directly by cowardly and brutal acts, or indirectly by words calculated to inflame. Sectarian violence is worse than a zero-sum game, as sooner or later everyone ends up a loser".

Mr Spring said that it was vital that an accommodation be found over the deeply contentious parades issue. "Local dialogue and compromise between the two sets of rights, and two sets of deeply-held convictions, is much the best way forward, and I urge all of those who have any influence to do their utmost in that direction".

On the talks process, the Tánaiste said that the Government's strategy had been "to seek a comprehensive settlement through meaningful negotiations inclusive of all parties committed to advancing their objectives by peaceful and democratic means alone. With the British Government, we have put in place a carefully-balanced negotiating structure which has the capacity to generate and sustain real engagement on the substantive issues - if the parties are prepared to use it for those ends".

"The Government want Sinn Féin to join us at the negotiating table, but Sinn Féin must know that until a definitive halt is called to the bombing and the shooting and other manifestations of political violence, there is no way in which they can or will become generally accepted partners in the political process. Not only that, but the longer it takes before a complete and unequivocal renewal of the cease-fire is declared, the harder it will be to convince even people of goodwill of its credibility and durability. Many, both in Ireland and abroad, who abhor the actions of the IRA have taken risks in an effort to encourage the republican movement away from its self-imposed isolation, and to facilitate Sinn Féin's participation in talks. Republicans should not make the mistake of assuming that this patience and interest on the part of others is impervious to constant rebuff", Mr Spring said.

The Tánaiste stressed that the Government also wished to see the continued participation of the loyalist parties in the talks. "Regrettably, in spite of constructive statements by the leadership of the loyalist parties, there has been a significant recent increase in the number of violent incidents linked to loyalists, including the deplorable murder of John Slane. I would appeal to loyalists to listen to their political leaders and not be lured back into a new spiral of violence and, consequently, political isolation. The future lies in negotiations and there can be no place in the negotiations for ambivalence between democratic politics and violence".

"Success, in the form of a lasting and stable agreement will require far-reaching compromise on the part of all those involved. This will serve as a particular challenge to those, particularly on the unionist side, who imagine compromise as a potentially lethal threat to their identity. In reality, Unionists should have nothing to fear. They have the security not only of their numbers and of their geography, but of the acceptance by the great bulk of Irish nationalists of the principle of consent and its implications for future constitutional arrangements on this island. Moreover, both Governments are committed to put the outcome of the negotiations before the people, in both Northern Ireland and the Republic, for their approval", Mr Spring said.

The full text of Mr Spring's speech, which also covered a wide range of foreign policy issues, is available from the Press Section.

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