Mr. John David Taylorasked the Prime Minister whether the intention of the Government of the Republic of Ireland to introduce extradition in accordance with the European Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism was conditional upon any matter within the Anglo Irish Agreement; what information she has as to the stage which this proposal by the Irish Government has now reached; and if she is satisfied with its progress.
§ The Prime MinisterParagraph 7 of the joint communiqué of 15 November 1985, Cmnd. 9657, stated that at its initial meetings the Intergovernmental Conference would work for early progress in relations between the security forces and the minority community in Northern Ireland, ways of enhancing security co-operation between the two Governments and seeking measures which would give substantial expression to the aim of underlining the importance of public confidence in the administration of justice. The Irish Government announced that, against this background, they intended to accede as soon as possible to the European convention on the suppression of terrorism. The question of conditions did not arise.
The Government have already welcomed the fact that a Bill to enable Irish ratification of the convention without reservation has passed through all its stages in the Dail.