Israel and the Peace Process
Debate between Lord Dodds of Duncairn and Mike Freer(12 years, 3 months ago)
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Mike Freer
That, of course, is an interesting point of view, but the Governments were able to negotiate with parties that were willing to do so.
Mike Freer
I will in a moment. I do not have any great knowledge of the Northern Ireland peace process. Perhaps my colleague, the right hon. Member for Belfast North does.
Mr Dodds
Before Sinn Fein was admitted to the talks in Northern Ireland, it had to sign up to the Mitchell principles, which were about decommissioning commitments, peaceful activities and a political way forward, so it was clear that it could not come to the table while still avowing terrorism.
Mike Freer
I thank the right hon. Member for that clarification. That is an amazingly pertinent point.