Disqualifications Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 10:15 pm on 6 November 2000.

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Photo of Baroness Park of Monmouth Baroness Park of Monmouth Conservative 10:15, 6 November 2000

I am concerned about the perception of this proposal in Northern Ireland. In the context of new Articles 2 and 3:

"It is the entitlement and birthright of every person born in the island of Ireland, which includes its islands and seas, to be part of the Irish nation. That is also the entitlement of all persons otherwise qualified in accordance with law to be citizens of Ireland. Furthermore, the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage".

Article 3 states:

"It is the firm will of the Irish nation, in harmony and friendship, to unite all the people who share the territory of the island of Ireland, in all the diversity of their identities".

It then properly goes on:

"recognising that a united Ireland shall be brought about only by peaceful means with the consent of a majority of the people".--[Official Report, Commons, 26/1/00; col. 349].

That sounds fine. However, I am concerned that we are enabling the introduction of Trojan horses. That is how it will be perceived by people in Northern Ireland. The North/South arrangements are already in place and there are plenty of opportunities--for example, through the Council of the Isles and a hundred other organisations--for a coming together of the two parts of the country, if one views Ireland as one island and not one nation. There are plenty of opportunities perhaps for an eventual change by a majority of the people. However, what is being proposed now goes way ahead of that. It introduces Trojan horses. I believe that that is something that we should identify and resist.