§ 49. Mr. Barry PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider a full scale review of the workings of the Anglo-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeA review of the working of the Intergovernmental Conference as provided for in article 11 of the agreement was completed in May 1989. Copies of the report recording the outcome of .the review were placed in the Library at the time. There are no plans for a further review at this stage, but paragraph 29 of the review report provides that
If in the future it were to appear that the objectives of the Agreement could be more effectively served by changes in the scope and nature of the working of the Conference, consistent with the basic provisions and spirit of the Agreement the two governments would be ready in principle to consider such changes.
§ Mr. SkinnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to phase out the Anglo-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeThe Government are committed to the Anglo-Irish Agreement, and to the principles it embodies, but I remain ready to consider constructive proposals for political progress which have a wide measure of support.