The Irish and British governments should press ahead with initiatives developed through cross-border co-operation between Stormont and Dublin during devolution, the SDLP said today.
In proposals for the review of the Belfast Agreement, Mr Mark Durkan's party also insisted changes should be made to the Northern Ireland Act to ensure that the First and Deputy First Ministers in a Stormont executive are obliged to nominate other cabinet colleagues to meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council.
The party made the call following the dispute during the last power sharing administration when First Minister Mr David Trimble refused to nominate Sinn Féin Health Minister Bairbre de Brún for a meeting with the Minister for Health Mr Martin.
The SDLP also called for:
- Devolved ministers to nominate cabinet colleagues when they refuse to attend meetings of the North South Ministerial Council.
- The establishment of a North-South Consultative Forum, as envisaged by the Belfast Agreement, involving members of civil society on both sides of the border and the reconvening of the Civic Forum in Northern Ireland.
- The convening of a North South Parliamentary Forum involving TDs and Stormont Assembly members.
- The creation of a new all-Ireland transport and infrastructure body with responsibility for developing a strategy for air and sea ports and economic corridors throughout the island.
- The commissioning of economic research bodies on both sides of the border to produce proposals on all Ireland co-operation and the development of a joint social and economic policy.
The SDLP, whose proposals were unveiled by Mr Durkan ahead of their party conference this weekend, also called for the expansion of co-operation between administrations on both sides of the border.