§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress towards all-party negotiations on Northern Ireland. [15033]
§ Sir Patrick MayhewThe Government have been engaged in a series of intensive meetings with all the relevant parties to discuss their ideas on the way forward. Our aim is to achieve all-party negotiations leading to a comprehensive and widely acceptable political settlement in relation to Northern Ireland. These discussions are continuing.