Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes

Speaking at the first meeting of the Committee, Dáire Hughes MP said: “The Good Friday Agreement Committee is a vital forum for me as a representative of citizens in the north, including citizens who increasingly see the centre of political gravity being here in Ireland.

“It is vital that northern voices are heard in this forum. That includes those from a unionist background and those of a British identity. Hearing those voices will involve this committee being proactive and agile in its work, and meeting people where they are. It’s important that this committee does what it can to ensure it engages with a broad section of our society on these seminal issues.”

Speaking after the first meeting of the Committee, he continued:

“The Good Friday Agreement Committee is the only all-Ireland committee in Leinster House. It is unique in that Members of Parliament from the north can join TDs and Senators to work on issues relating to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

“The Good Friday Agreement remains the basis for relations on the island of Ireland and between the islands of Ireland and Britain. However, its implementation has been challenged, principally by indifference from London. It is essential that this committee maximises its role in advancing the implementation of the agreement and highlighting any short fallings from any source.”

Mr. Hughes concluded:

“In the last Dáil term this committee authored significant reports in relation to perspectives on constitutional change, specifically addressing the economics of Irish unity and the role of women in constitutional change. Those reports were groundbreaking as they called on the Irish government to begin planning for future referendums on Irish unity and for increased north-south collaboration.

“It is my hope, and the hope of the Sinn Féin team on the committee that this work continues. We hope to begin discussions on all-island healthcare in the coming weeks.”