HC Deb 12 March 1987 vol 112 cc458-9
18. Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Ireland.

Mr. Scott

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to a question by the right hon. and learned Member for Warley, West (Mr. Archer) earlier today.

Mr. Dubs

In discussions with the Irish Government about the Anglo-Irish Agreement, will the Minister make it clear that, although improved security must be an important objective, the nationalist population of the six counties would be let down badly if it were to be seen by them as the only objective? Is he aware that they will quite rightly wish to see further progress in other areas?

Mr. Scott

I agree with the point made by the hon. Gentleman. Indeed, reassurance of the nationalist community can be a help to the activities of the security forces in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Holt

As part of the Anglo-Irish Agreement includes a £50 million donation to this country from America, will my hon. Friend say whether we have yet received the £50 million, and, if so, how has it been spent?

Mr. Scott

Legislation has been passed to establish the international fund for Ireland, representing both parts of Ireland. The board has already had a number of meetings to consider how the money might most sensibly be disbursed.

Ms. Clare Short

When the Minister meets the Foreign Secretary, might it help to persuade him that the Anglo-Irish Agreement has been of some value if he points out that what it has really achieved is to expose the people of Britain to the unreasonableness and intransigence of unionism in Northern Ireland? Will he also point out that, according to the Daily Express poll, a majority of people in Britain want to withdraw from Northern Ireland and that more people in Britain think that the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley) is an evil presence than there are people who think that the hon. Member for Belfast, West (Mr. Adams) is an evil presence?

Mr. Scott

We so operate the Anglo-Irish Agreement with the Administration in Dublin that the benefits become manifest to all the people in Northern Ireland.

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