16 Mr. Timmons asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the action that has been taken under Article 5 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to consider the advantages and disadvantages of a Bill of Rights in Northern Ireland.

23 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the action that has been taken under Article 5 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to consider the advantages and disadvantages of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

28 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the progress made with regard to implementing the commitment given in the Anglo-Irish Agreement that both Governments would consider the advantages and disadvantages of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; the number of occasions on which the matter has been discussed at meetings of the Anglo-Irish Conference; and the most recent occasion on which it has been raised; if a draft Bill of Rights has been prepared by either Government or if the draft prepared by the Committee for the Administration of Justice in Northern Ireland has been considered, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

35 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the action that has been taken under Article 5 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to consider the advantages and disadvantages of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

42 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the action that has been taken under Article 5 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to consider the advantages and disadvantages of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

45 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the action that has been taken under Article 5 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to consider the advantages and disadvantages of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

65 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the action that has been taken under Article 5 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to consider the advantages and disadvantages of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

97 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the action that has been taken under Article 5 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to consider the advantages and disadvantages of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

I propose taking Questions Nos. 16, 23, 28, 35, 42, 45, 65 and 97 together.

In February 1987 detailed proposals for a Bill of Rights were put forward by the then Government. The question has subsequently been raised on a number of occasions in meetings of the Anglo-Irish Conference, most recently at the Conference which took place in January 1992. It has also been the subject of ongoing discussion at official level in the Anglo-Irish Secretariat.

In these exchanges, successive Irish Governments have made clear their support for the introduction of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. They have also drawn attention to the case made in its favour by all political parties in Northern Ireland and by organisations such as the Committee on the Administration of Justice.

The British side have responded that, while they are not yet convinced of the need for a Bill of Rights, they are open to further discussion of the matter and will keep it under review.

The Government are in favour of measures to enhance protection of human rights in Northern Ireland and consider that an enforceable Bill of Rights would provide valuable guarantees to members of both communities that their basic rights were protected from legislative or executive abuse. We shall continue to press the British Government to reconsider their position on this proposal, which we believe could be particularly relevant in the context of any new arrangements which might be agreed as a result of fresh political talks.