- The Forum
The Forum
The Northern Ireland (Entry to Negotiation, etc) Act 1996 provided for a Forum constituted by delegates elected in elections under the same Act to consider and examine issues relevant to promoting dialogue and understanding within Northern Ireland. The Forum met at the Interpoint Centre, York Street, Belfast from 14 June 1996 to 24 April 1998.
Northern Ireland Forum for Political Dialogue
The Forum for Political Dialogue met between 1996 and 1998 in Belfast as part of the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement.
To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.
Membership (93 members):
- John Alderdice ( Alliance ) Visualize
- Eileen Bell ( Alliance ) Visualize
- Seamus Close ( Alliance ) Visualize
- Steve McBride ( Alliance ) Visualize
- Kieran McCarthy ( Alliance ) Visualize
- Oliver Napier ( Alliance ) Visualize
- Seán Neeson ( Alliance ) Visualize
- May Beattie ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Robert Bolton ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Cecil Calvert ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Gregory Campbell ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Mervyn Carrick ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Sam Clyde ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Nigel Dodds ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Oliver Gibson ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Trevor Kirkland ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- St Clair McAlister ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- William McCrea ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Jack McKee ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Maurice Morrow ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Ian Paisley Jr ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Ian Paisley ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Joan Parkes ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Edwin Poots ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Iris Robinson ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Peter Robinson ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Jim Shannon ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Eric Smyth ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- William Snoddy ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Desmond Stewart ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Sammy Wilson ( Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) ) Visualize
- Hugh Casey ( Labour Party ) Visualize
- Malachi Curran ( Labour Party ) Visualize
- Monica McWilliams ( Northern Ireland Women's Coalition (NIWC) ) Visualize
- Pearl Sagar ( Northern Ireland Women's Coalition (NIWC) ) Visualize
- David Ervine ( Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) ) Visualize
- Hugh Smyth ( Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) ) Visualize
- Joe Byrne ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Hugh Carr ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Arthur Doherty ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Mark Durkan ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Sean Farren ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Frank Feely ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Dorita Field ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Tommy Gallagher ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Joe Hendron ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- John Hume ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Alban Maginness ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Séamus Mallon ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Donovan McClelland ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Alasdair McDonnell ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Patsy McGlone ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Paddy McGowan ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Eddie McGrady ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Margaret Ritchie ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Brid Rodgers ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Jonathan Stephenson ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- John Tierney ( Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ) Visualize
- Gary McMichael ( Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) ) Visualize
- John White ( Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) ) Visualize
- Antony Alcock ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Tom Benson ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- David Brewster ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- David Browne ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- David Campbell ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Jim Clarke ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Robert Coulter ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Ivan Davis ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Jeffrey Donaldson ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Reg Empey ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Sam Foster ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Sam Gardiner ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Joe Gaston ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- John Gorman ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- John Hunter ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Derek Hussey ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- John Junkin ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Peter King ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Ken Maginnis ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Alan McFarland ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Dermot Nesbitt ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Tom Robinson ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Jim Rodgers ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Jim Speers ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- May Steele ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Robert Stoker ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- John Taylor ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- David Trimble ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Peter Weir ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Robert John White ( Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ) Visualize
- Robert McCartney ( United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP) ) Visualize
- Conor Cruise O'Brien ( United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP) ) Visualize
- Cedric Wilson ( United Kingdom Unionist Party (UKUP) ) Visualize
Resources (0):
Resource Collections (0):
None
Resource Items (0):
None
Sessions (71)
First day of Forum; Chairman puts credentials of his office to the record; Members sign the Roll; Rules Committee numbers debated and Committee established; Business Committee established.
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Discussion of IRA Bomb in Manchester; Debate on Seating Arrangements and Chairmanship; First Draft of the Rules of Procedure introduced from the Rules Committee and debated.
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20,
14, 1, 1,
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29, 23
Introduction of and debate on Second and Third Draft Rules of Procedure; Discussion of Gibson's motion on Minister Ancram's Policy on Education Administration.
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1, 2,
1, 41, 5,
26,
33, 5, 1,
2, 2,
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Letter from the Lord Mayor of Manchester regarding the IRA Bomb; Debate on Chairmanship; Introduction of and debate on Fourth Draft Rules of Procedure; Debate on new motion on Education Administration.
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1, 20, 4,
50, 11
52, 8,
9,
39, 40
Discussion on Security Situation in Drumcree.
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4, 2,
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14, 18
Introduction of and debate on Fifth Draft of the Rules of Procedure which agreed by Forum and forwarded to Secretary of State for approval; Discussion on Security Situation in Northern Ireland; Vote on Business Committee recommendations on Mechanics of Committees; Continuation of discussion on new motion on Education Administration. SDLP and Alliance Party absent from Proceedings.
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10, 4,
19,
19, 1,
2,
22, 31
Appointment of Four Committees with amendment to change Party representation numbers; Discussion on continued absence of SDLP; Summer Recess Debate .
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12, 7,
50,
10, 2,
9,
18, 56
First Forum meeting following Summer Recess; Rules of Procedure declined by Secretary of State who requests that Forum reconsider Rules A(1), 6(7), and 13(1); Discussion on Broadcasting Facilities and Media presence; Letter from Minister Ancram regarding Forum's earlier motion on Education Administration; Debate on UUP motion on Boycotting. SDLP absent from proceedings.
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2, 2, 1,
32,
13,
2,
21, 23
Report on Committee Elections; debate on DUP motion on BSE. SDLP absent from proceedings.
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1, 1,
41,
4,
8, 12
Recognition of Broughshane's winning Nations in Bloom award; Report on Government position on BSE; Discussion on legality of motion on Decommissioning to be introduced directly in Forum without recommendation of Business Committee; Debate on Alliance motion on Housing Policy which is to be continued to the following week; Vote on expanding the remit of Committee A to include boycotting. SDLP absent from proceedings.
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2, 1, 3,
13, 1
6, 4, 1,
6, 3,
24, 40
Letter from the Secretary of State regarding outstanding matters of Rules of Procedure, followed by an amendment to create a mechanism to determine sufficient Cross-Community support and vote to adopt; Forum begins to operate under the new Rules of Procedure; Continuation of Debate on Alliance motion on Housing Policy; Debate on DUP motion on Disability. SDLP absent from proceedings.
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1, 2, 1,
37,
10, 1, 1,
13, 1
Motion that existing Committees become Standing Committees; discussion on Interim Report prepared by the Standing Committee on Education; Debate on UUP statement on Multi-Party Talks at Stormont. SDLP absent from proceedings.
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2, 4,
36,
7, 3, 1,
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13, 1
Discussion on the IRA Bombing of Thiepval Army Barracks; Debate on DUP motion on Northern Ireland Economy. SDLP absent from proceedings.
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3, 2,
40,
11, 2,
4,
19, 3
Davis acted as Interim Chairman in Gorman's absence; Letter from Minister Ancram regarding Forum's Interim Report on Education Administration; Debate on PUP motion on Jobseeker's Allowance; Debate on Alliance motion on Privatisation of Northern Ireland's water service. Procedural motion to introduce Order Papers. SDLP absent from proceedings.
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2, 2, 2,
36,
3, 2, 1,
1,
7, 7
G. Campbell acted as Interim Chairman in Gorman's absence; Notice of Business Committee Motion on Standing Committees; Remarks on EU Agriculture Funds; Discussion on Republic of Ireland President; Debate on UKUP Motion on Queens speech; Debate on UUP Motion on Waste Products. SDLP absent from proceedings.
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3, 5,
26,
5,
2,
8, 2
Vote on Standing Committee Motion; Presentation of Standing Committee D Interim Report on BSE; Debate on DUP Motion on the Neil Latimer Case; Debate on UUP Motion on Political Integration in EU.
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1, 6, 4,
32,
8, 1,
1,
6, 2
Act of Remembrance; Continuation of debate on Housing Policy Review; Motion to Approve Standing Committee E Membership; Debate on UUP Motion on EU Political Integration; Presentation of Standing Committee C Interim Report on Fluoridation of Water Supply; Special Debate (Rule 10(5))
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2, 2,
22,
10, 3,
1,
20, 25
Recognition of Somme Ceremony; Receipt of Letter from Baroness Denton regarding the Northern Ireland Economy; Debate on DUP Motion on the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
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39,
4, 2,
2, 2,
14, 4
Education Administration, Fisheries Issues, Elderly People, Paedophile Activities
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10,
7,
1,
11, 13
Forum Christmas Celebration, BSE, Business, Fisheries, All-Ireland Harmonization, Special Debate
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7, 3,
2,
14, 7
Forum, Boycott of Businesses, Human Rights, Neil Latimer, Roads and Transport
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1, 3,
21,
9,
2, 1
12, 5
Business, Report on Business Boycotts, Public Expenditure
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12,
7, 2,
1,
10, 2
Senior Citizen Cold-weather payments, Address Invitations, Ulster-Scots
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2, 3,
17,
6,
2, 1
10, 5
Business, Terrorist Crime: Legislation, Housing, Special Debate
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2, 2,
10,
6, 2,
1,
8, 9
Education Administration, Neil Latimer, Hospice Collection, Police Complaints System, Drug Abuse, Schools Event
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1, 1,
49,
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2,
8, 1
Business, School Crossing Patrols, Ace Scheme/ Jobskills Programme, Parades and Marches: Independent Review
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2, 1, 2,
17,
6, 1,
1,
8,
Cancer Care, Parades and Marches: Independent review
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1, 1,
18,
6, 2,
2,
8,
Murder of Lance Bombardier Restorick, Standing Committee (Political Affairs), Association of Local Authorities of Northern Ireland, Pollution (Rivers, Streams and Beaches)
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1, 4, 2,
16,
8, 1, 1,
2, 1,
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Standing Committee A (Oral Evidence), Northern Ireland Economy, Public Holidays, Newcastle Disease, Education: Finance, Publicity
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2, 1, 4,
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10, 3,
1, 3, 2
15, 9
Standing Committee A (Evidence), Committees (Confidentiality), Talks, Education: Finance, Child Support Agency, Press Coverage, Cardiac Surgery
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11,
9, 2,
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13, 6
Talks, Potato Industry, Children with Special Educational Needs: Summer Schemes, Political Negotiations/Continuing Violence, Business
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9, 6
Talks, Secretariat, Water Supply (Fluoridation), Joint Police/Army Patrol: IRA Attack, Political Negotiations: Continuing Violence, Education: Finance, Standing Committee D, Special Debate
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6, 2,
25, 23
Women's Coalition, Forum Review, Prime Minister's Speech (Royal Ulster Agricultural Society), Chairmanship
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5,
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9, 4
Business, Beef Industry Crisis, Elections, Special Debate
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6, 2,
10,
7, 1,
3, 1,
6, 7
Murder of Policemen (Lurgan), Parades: Review, Sexual Harassment
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1, 2,
13,
6,
7, 1
Committee on Electoral Reform, Summer Recess, Business, Pre-school Education, Talks on Political Development: Statement by Prime Minister, Whiteabbey Hospital, Local Government
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12,
9, 1,
1, 1,
8, 3
Employment, Delegation to Isle of Man, Parades, Motions and Amendments, Chairman's Determination
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9, 4, 1,
1, 3, 1
11, 3
Motions and amendments, Business, Murder of Bernadette Martin, EU peace and reconciliation programme, Long-term unemployment, Local Government: environment functions
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9, 1,
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10, 1
Explosive Device, pre-school education, business, special debate
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Death of Diana, Princess of Wales
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Governance of Northern Ireland, Standing Committee B, Welfare to Work task force
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Markethill bombing incident, BSE, Bill of Rights
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Standing Committee A remit, World Land-speed record, interruptions from strangers gallery, operation of the health service, integrated transport policy
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10, 7
Political affairs, interruptions from the strangers gallery, committee meetings, Republic of Ireland's territorial claim to Northern Ireland, South Tyrone and Ulster hospitals,
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5, 2, 1,
4, 2,
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Political affairs, hospital visits, local government working groups, employment ACE schemes
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5, 1
Standing Committee A, Parliamentary Devolution
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Forum committee meetings, Gallipoli, Economic development and social programmes (local participation), Whiteabbey hospital, special debate
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7,
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8, 24
Long term unemployment, Electoral Reform, Beef Industry crisis, Public Processions draft legislation,
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1, 2,
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9, 3
Act of remembrance, statement of Secretary of State (Mowlam), Firearms, Coats Viyella
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13,
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12, 14
Saracen Ltd, Integrated transport policy, Anglo-Irish Agreement
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11, 1,
10, 1
Fiftieth wedding anniversary of the Queen and Prince Philip, Saracen Ltd, Delegation from Moldova and Transdniestra, Quangos consultation paper, community action groups
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9, 3,
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War memorials, Community Action Groups, Electoral reform, Preparatory schools, IRA and Republic of Ireland ministers, Library Services,
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2,
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8, 1, 1,
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11, 9
Electoral reform, Education Public/Private Partnerships, BSE crisis, Hospital Services
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2, 4,
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Chairman, Standing Committee B, Belfast Telegraph Article, Agriculture Industry, Special Debate
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Chairman, Voting, Political/Security Situation, Extradition
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Business, Third-Level Education funding, Ambulance Service, Special Debate
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Quorum rules, Electoral Reform Committee, Internet Website, BSE, Agricultural Produce in National Retailers, Police (Northern Ireland) Bill, Special Debate
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16,
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1,
10, 2
Trade union rally, pre-school education, Northern Ireland community, Special Debate
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5, 7
Northern Ireland Economy, EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, Special Debate
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Ambulance service, men's health, Education: Public/Private partnerships, Draft Education Order 1998, Government funding for sport in Northern Ireland, funding of grammar school preparatory departments
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22,
10,
1
11, 2
Committee Documents, Fishing Quotas consultative paper, Parliament Buildings, Social Services, Special Debate
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9, 1,
1, 1,
8, 8
Community relations, Families Against Intimidation and Terror anti-violence charter, security situation
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14,
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10, 12
Security situation, departmental presentations, special debate
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5,
2
8, 16
Food Standards Agency, Assembly Electoral System, Disability Benefits, Special Debate
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1, 3,
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10,
8, 3
BSE European Union Export Ban; Budget Statement; 'Partnership for Equality' White Paper; Special Debate
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7, 3
Ambulance service, British Citizenship (Irish Republic), European Union Common Agricultural Policy, Special Debate
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6, 9
Transport in Rural Areas, Parliamentary Elections Voting System, Organosphates Insecticides, Forum Submission to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Special Debate
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8,
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8, 8
Forum Precincts: Firearms and Members' Access, Fair Employment Commission Report, Business, Special Debate
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7, 3
Forum Business, Multi-Party Agreement
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Forum Business; Future of Northern Ireland Agriculture; Special Education Provision for School-Age Children, Ministerial Presentation; British Isles Relationships and United Kingdom Decentralisation; Community Care and the Home-Help Service; Northern Ireland Economy; Forum Activities and Achievements; Forum Closure; Presentation to Forum Chairman
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