§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon of 9 June, Official Report, c. 133, what was the substance of discussions between his officials and those of the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning agriculture, environmental issues and energy; what other areas have been covered; what was the substance of discussions in these other areas; whether he plans to make decisions in any of these fields in the near future; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PriorThe discussions between my officials and those of the Government of the Republic of Ireland to which I referred in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Proctor) on 9 June, covered a wide range of practical matters within those broad headings—for example, animal health, problems associated with the smuggling of agricultural produce, the disposal of toxic waste, water pollution in rivers and lakes in border areas and the supply of Kinsale gas to Northern Ireland.—[Vol. 25, c. 133.] There are frequent contacts between officials on similar matters of day-to-day administration.
So far as I can at present foresee, the only major issue arising from these discussions which will require decisions in the near future relate to the provisional agreement, reached at a subsequent Ministerial meeting, on the supply of Kinsale gas to Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there have been any discussions between his officials or Ministers and those of the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning the White Paper "Northern Ireland: A Framework for Devolution" what was the substance of those discussions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PriorThe White Paper has at no time been the subject of discussion with the Government of the Republic of Ireland; but my officials have, as part of the normal courtesies between neighbouring Governments, explained the substance of it to Irish officials.