Slow progress on North/South forum
A North/South parliamentary forum has now been discussed in depth but its first meeting is not expected soon. Peter Cheney reports.
Twelve years ago, the Good Friday Agreement mentioned the possibility of a North/South parliamentary forum, bringing together Assembly and Oireachtas members in equal numbers. However, the idea was a suggestion rather than a demand and progress has been slow.
The joint conference on 7-8 October was not a meeting of the forum itself, but involved discussions on how it could be formed. Both speakers represent border constituencies: William Hay for Foyle and Séamus Kirk for Louth.
Nick Clegg’s presence gave it a high profile but the outcome was indecisive. Working groups have been asked to discuss a second conference and a possible inaugural forum meeting. No timescale is set.
The Agreement saw the forum as a place to discuss “matters of mutual interest and concern.” The St Andrews Agreement said the Executive “would encourage” the Assembly’s parties to establish an “inclusive” forum.
An east-west body, the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, was established in October 2008. It meets through plenary meetings and four committees: sovereign matters (national parliaments only), economic, environmental and social, and European affairs. MLAs and TDs are among its members.
In November 2008, Alex Attwood predicted that a forum could give a voice to marginalised western regions of Ireland and help its members to understand the island’s shared past. A visit to First World War battlefields would be one practical example.
Gerry Adams saw the conference as a “welcome step forward” for developing all-island structures, adding that “effective representation” was needed as Ireland headed “deeper into the economic recession”.
In Margaret Ritchie’s view, a forum is vital for developing economic co-operation in the “difficult financial and budgetary times ahead.” Cross-border and all-island projects could deliver further efficiencies and savings. Alliance and the Greens are also supportive.
Any forum, though, will need support from unionists, who remain sceptical.
The DUP has been opposed from the start and does not consider itself bound by St Andrews – an agreement between the two governments. Peter Weir claimed that creating a new body with its associated costs would be “selfish political idealism”.
Tom Elliott reserves judgement for the UUP and has said that “clarity is needed” over its potential role: “While we as a party are happy to consider proposals as to how to move this process along, we must not go into it blindly.”
A forum in practice
• Alliance MLA Seán Neeson believes a 100-strong membership is a good number, meeting twice annually, and focusing on European issues such as the environment, agriculture and energy.
• Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty foresees 25 members, with three meetings per year. Ad hoc committees could investigate topical issues for the Oireachtas and Assembly.
• Green MLA Brian Wilson suggests 20 members, meeting twice a year.
