HC Deb 04 June 1986 vol 98 cc561-2W
Mr. A. Cecil Walker

asked the Prime Minister if, in the light of the obligations of the United Kingdom Government and the Irish Republic under the Helsinki agreement, Her Majesty's Government will raise with the Irish Government the future of their claim, in article 2 of their constitution, to part of the national territory of the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

No. The agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland signed on 15 November 1985—in particular the joint affirmation that any change in the status of Northern Ireland would come about only with the consent of the majority of the people of Northern Ireland — is fully consistent with the commitments of the two Governments under the Helsinki accords in regard to the inviolability of frontiers, the territorial integrity of participating states and the right to self-determination of peoples.

Mr. A. Cecil Walker

asked the Prime Minister if, in the light of the obligations of the United Kingdom Government and the Irish Republic under the Treaty of Rome, Her Majesty's Government will raise with the Irish Government the future of their claim, in Article 2 of their constitution, to part of the national territory of the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

No. The agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland signed on 15 November 1985—in particular the joint affirmation that any change in the status of Northern Ireland would come about only with the consent of the majority of the people of Northern Ireland — is fully consistent with the obligations of the two Governments under the Treaty of Rome. Indeed, the preamble to the Anglo-Irish agreement begins by emphasising the wish of the two parties to develop the unique relationship between their peoples and the close co-operation between their countries as friendly neighbours and as partners in the European Community.