Progress of Anglo-Irish talks
The Taoiseach said discussions were in their concluding stages but that it was too early to judge their outcome; no firm meeting date was given.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the progress of the current Anglo-Irish talks.
2.
Comment on this
asked the Taoiseach if a firm date has now been set for his next meeting with the British Prime Minister.
Comment on this
Discussions have been taking place at official and ministerial level between the Government and the British Government with the objective of devising a framework and measures which would help to bring movement towards peace and stability, in place of the violence and instability that have mainly affected Northern Ireland but have also had their impact in this part of Ireland and in Britain. It is, naturally, the wish of the Government that the talks will be successful in attaining this objective but it is not yet possible to make a final judgement on this. The discussions are in the concluding stages but have not yet been completed. When they have been brought to a conclusion and the overall outcome can be seen, the Government will assess it and decide whether it can be recommended for implementation. Until then it would be neither useful nor appropriate to go beyond the terms of the present reply.
Arrangements for any meeting with the British Prime Minister, in accordance with normal practice, would be announced simultaneously in Dublin and London close to the time of the meeting.