Briefing from the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman on: Northern Ireland, Budd Report, Butler Review and Europe Minister.
Northern Ireland
Asked if there were any further meetings planned between the Prime Minister and the Irish Prime Minister in the immediate future, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) said that they would both be attending the European Council next week, but he was not aware of plans to meet before then.
Asked if there were going to be any bilateral discussions regarding Northern Ireland, the PMOS replied that Paul Murphy and Dermot Ahern would be meeting all the parties next week, and we and Dublin remain in constant contact with all the parties.
Asked if there was going to be any pessimism or confidence about what would happen in the future regarding the Northern Ireland issue, the PMOS said the important thing was that people had recognised the significance of the document that had been published. The reality was that out of a 22 page document, 21½ pages had been agreed. The other reality was that today, despite the inevitable blame game, three things still remained on the table. One was commitment by the IRA for complete decommissioning, the second was commitment by the IRA to end all activities, and finally, a commitment by the DUP to share power with Sinn Fein, if there was a genuine end to activities and a genuine decommissioning. That took us to a different place in Northern Ireland and what we needed to do now was to maintain the momentum and close the final gap.
Asked if it was accepted that the photograph issue was now dead as a means of clarification, the PMOS said that what was accepted was the gap had not been closed on that particular issue. We would keep working to see how we would make decommissioning credible. The PMOS reminded people it was only the day after the document was published, and people would therefore accept the public and parties in Northern Ireland would need time to reflect, as would the two governments.
Asked again if the photographs were not ruled out, the PMOS said it would be better to pause and reflect on where things were, and on the narrowness of the gap, and then move forward again.
Budd Report
Asked if the Prime Minister expected to receive a copy of the Budd Report before publication, the PMOS replied that Sir Alan Budd had to complete his report, which was the next step.
Butler Review
Asked what changes the Prime Minister had made to his style of government and government procedures in the wake of the Butler Review, the PMOS replied that as we had said when the report was published in July that we would take on the changes outlined in the Report. Minutes and records of meetings had been taken on board.
Asked if "taken on board" meant implementing too, the PMOS said it did, but he was not going to go as far as people wished by providing absolute records of every meeting.
Asked if the Prime Minister was making more use of Cabinet, and were there examples of votes and comprehensive discussions, the PMOS repeated his earlier answer in the morning, as the question betrayed a lack of understanding of how Cabinet arrived at its consensus. Cabinet discussed issues as they evolved, and the entire 5 year programme could not have evolved without significant discussions at a very early stage in the policy making process. This meant it came to be finalised, and all members of Cabinet were aware of the issues which lay behind the proposals. Many decisions had evolved from the early discussions, which proved the value of the way Cabinet discussed matters at present.
Asked if it would now be inconceivable if an issue, such as the Millennium Dome, where a majority of Cabinet took one position, but the minority view was the one that was taken, the PMOS said he was not around when the Millennium Dome issue arose, so he would not comment. However, he said the important thing was there was a clear pattern of bringing broad issues to Cabinet at an early stage so that everyone was aware of the issues involved in trying to move forward.
Asked if Cabinet Committees were being used, as specified in the Butler Review, the PMOS said there was a very active Cabinet Committee structure, and various members of the Cabinet, especially the Deputy Prime Minister, played an active role in that structure.
Asked if Cabinet "voted on things", the PMOS said Cabinet reached a consensus. Asked how long Cabinet lasted this morning, and what were the issues that were raised, the PMOS repeated his answer given earlier that Cabinet was just over an hour, and the issues raised were the events in Northern Ireland yesterday, and a presentation from Tessa Jowell.
Asked if the Prime Minister was seeing signs that the new way of working was resulting in improvements in the standard of Government, the PMOS replied that people should look at the succession of 5 years plans to see how they had helped the strategic shape of government.
Europe Minister
Asked f the Prime Minister fully supported the Minister for Europe and his recent views on the Euro, the PMOS said he was not aware of the comment, and would prefer not to say anything further until he had.
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