LABOUR
Strand Two
Submission on ‘Principles and Requirements’
1. The objective of Strand Two must be to achieve workable arrangements on the island of Ireland that will command widespread acceptance and support amongst all the people of Ireland.
2. Those arrangements must address two principle items; that the people of Northern Ireland will decide the future of Northern Ireland and that the legitimate ‘Irish’ aspiration of Northerners be given recognition in a real\, meaningful and tangible form.
3. Consequent on the above\, that steps should be taken to remove the claim of jurisdiction over Northern Ireland\, by the Irish Republic\, and that ‘cross border’ and all Ireland institutions and bodies and relationships are established and clearly seen to be working.
4. The relations between Northern Ireland and the Republic should reflect the reality of the massive practical co-operation that exists between both parts of Ireland. Any new arrangements should increase and develop this contact and\, in addition\, seek to remove barriers to economic\, social and cultural development.
5. Labour would support the categories for development as listed in ‘Frameworks for the Future’ but believes that these topics should not be exclusive. Amongst others\, there is a need to specifically address the issues that can be of real benefit to peoples in Border regions. Public utilities\, schools\, health clinics\, General practitioner provision and manpower planning are but examples of services distorted by an ‘irrational’ border.
6. If new institutions are to be accepted\, supported\, and really help the people\, then the ‘control’ of these bodies must be democratic\, accountable and transparent in their deliberations and decisions.
7. Labour does not believe that the proposals in the Framework document for implementation bodies would be acceptable to the vast majority of the people The introduction of more bodies that are many steps removed from the electors while dealing with major issues affecting their lives is a reversal of what is being attempted in these Talks. The Government’s proposals merely attempt to maintain as much of the status quo while paying lip service to democracy.
8. Widespread acceptance and support will come from the trust that can only be developed through involvement and transparency.
9. Labour proposes that different methods of administration be applied depending on the nature and scope of the institution. These would encompass the use of local\, regional and national participation as appropriate.
10. Labour proposes that composition of all Bodies be approved by the relevant legislatures and that those legislatures receive and approve reports on the activities of such bodies.
11. Labour supports the proposal that institutional arrangements should be established to permit the regular meeting of legislatures and administrators within Ireland but would wish to develop this to local and ‘regional’ arrangements.
12. As long as the people of Northern Ireland genuinely have the right to determine their own future\, there is no valid reason for anyone fearing more practical contact throughout Ireland. Equally\, there is no excuse for falling to develop a peaceful\, culturally ‘content’ and economically prosperous island.
12/10/97
