(10 June 1992)

DRAFT

SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT

1. The sub-Committee met on 5 June and adjourned as a mark of respect to the victims of the coach crash the evening before.

2. It met again on 8, 9 and 10 June.

3. The Committee continued to work towards to the greatest possible degree of common ground on new political institutions for Northern Ireland, by addressing issues including those listed in paragraph 5 of the provisional report of the Structures sub-Committee (dated 13 May), which recognised that each Party may wish to reserve its position on particular points; and by seeking to confirm and expand the areas of common ground identified in the Possible Outline Framework for new political institutions in Northern Ireland produced at 0045 on 3 June.

4. One sub-group of the Committee considered the Possible Outline Framework and was able to expand in a number of minor respects the area of common ground it represented. A revised version is attached. [That sub-group also agreed a paper, subject to certain reservations, describing the elements of a Code of Practice which indicated possible roles and responsibilities for Departments, Assembly Committees and the Assembly as a whole; and considered papers from the Government Team and from each Party on possible measures for ensuring an appropriate, fair and significant role for all main political traditions in Northern Ireland].

5. Another sub-group achieved a considerable measure of agreement in respect of the relationship between any new political institutions in Northern Ireland and the Westminster Parliament, and the UK Government system more generally; [and the future relationship with EC institutions]. Its report[s on these subjects are] attached.

6. The Parties represented on the sub-Committee also received, but did not collectively consider, discussion papers on the following subjects:

(a) from the Government Team:

Finance

Human Rights

(b) from the UUP:

Bill of Rights

Cultural Expression and Diversity

(c) from the SDLP:

Bill of Rights.