HC Deb 10 March 1999 vol 327 cc287-8W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will work to ensure the implementation of the entire Belfast Agreement by all participating Governments and political parties. [75086]

Mr. Paul Murphy

The Belfast Agreement must be implemented in full. That is the Government's objective and we will work with all the parties and with the Irish Government to ensure that this objective is achieved. We are living up to all our commitments under the Agreement and it is essential that every other party does likewise.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Republic of Ireland has taken, as a signatory to the Belfast Agreement, to demonstrate its respect for the different traditions in the island of Ireland since 10 April 1998; and if she will make a statement. [75042]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I understand the Irish Government have taken a number of steps to demonstrate its respect for the different traditions in the island of Ireland. The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs has established an Interdepartmental Committee with the task of bringing forward proposals for the development of the site of the Battle of the Boyne. This will be a major project and is expected to be part of the Republic's Millennium Programme. In addition, the Irish Government contributed £150,000 towards the building of a memorial in Messines in Belgium in honour of Irish soldiers from both traditions who died in World War I.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Republic of Ireland introduced the equal status legislation required under the Belfast Agreement; and if she will make a statement. [75043]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I understand that it is the intention of the Irish Government to publish an Equal Status Bill before the end of the Dail's Easter recess.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress the Republic of Ireland has made in implementing the enhanced employment equality legislation required under the Belfast Agreement; and if she will make a statement. [75044]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I understand that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform announced on 8 March a new infrastructure for equality which will comprise an Equality Authority and an Office of Equality Investigations. In addition, I understand that he has appointed the members of the Equality Authority Designate. An Employment Equality Act was enacted last year and a target date of 1 September 1999 has been set for its complete implementation.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Republic of Ireland ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities; and if she will make a statement about the implementation of this section of the Belfast Agreement. [75045]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I understand the Irish Cabinet recently approved proposals for the ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities. These proposes will be debated shortly in Dáil Eireann and formal ratification will take place immediately afterwards.