HL Deb 19 March 2003 vol 646 cc37-8WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Belfast Agreement of 1998 offers parity of esteem and treatment to all sections on the island of Ireland; and whether this includes the Ulster Scots and the Irish community in Northern Ireland. [HL2076]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The agreement endorsed the commitment made by the British and Irish Governments that, whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of the people of Northern Ireland, the power of the sovereign government with jurisdiction there shall be exercised with rigorous impartiality on behalf of all of the people in the diversity of their identities and traditions and shall be founded on the principles in full respect for, and equality of, civil, political, social and cultural rights, of freedom from discrimination for all citizens and of parity of esteem and of just and equal treatment for the identity, ethos and aspirations of both communities.