§ 10. Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on developments in the peace process in Northern Ireland.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewThe Downing street declaration continues to underpin our approach to the peace process. We have proposed that exploratory dialogue with Sinn Fein shall commence next week. We intend shortly thereafter to do likewise with representatives of loyalists.
We expect to resume work with the new Irish Government on the joint framework document as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. EtheringtonCan the Secretary of State reassure the House that nothing will he allowed to stand in the way of progress with talks on the framework document? I refer particularly to the uncertainty of the Dublin Government and to the fact that the British Government are now a minority Government.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewThe most notable obstruction or difficulty in the way of progress with the joint framework document is that we do not have a new Government in the Republic at the moment. I am confident that the British Government can look forward to a fruitful period of discussion, for as long as necessary, with the new Dublin Government on the joint framework document. I am confident also that all parties in the Republic are as keen as we are to make progress.