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.
Meeting to discuss business of the Forum
That the existing Committees established by the Forum on 26 July 1996 should become Standing Committees with designations, current remits and terms of reference as follows:
Designation: Standing Committee A
Remit: Public order issues
Terms of reference:
Parades — To examine the problems which arise in relation to parades in Northern Ireland, make recommendations which would contribute to better understanding and amelioration of those problems, and report to the Forum
Boycotting — To examine the problems of boycotting in Northern Ireland, make recommendations which would help resolve them, and report to the Forum
Designation: Standing Committee B
Remit: Education Issues
Terms of reference: To examine (a) the contribution which education services and structures make to the promotion of dialogue and understanding within Northern Ireland, (b) nursery education and the pre-school voucher scheme, and (c) the link between education and employment, and report to the Forum.
Designation: Standing Committee C
Remit: Health issues
Terms of reference: To examine the health needs of the community in Northern Ireland, with particular reference to health-care administration, acute hospital services, community care services and access by the rural community, and report to the Forum.
Designation: Standing Committee D
Remit: Agriculture and fisheries issues
Terms of reference: To examine the problems being faced by farmers and fishermen in Northern Ireland, and report to the Forum.
Designation: Standing Committee E
Remit: The Northern Ireland economy
Terms of reference: To examine issues relevant to the performance of the Northern Ireland economy and report to the Forum at periodic intervals
Composition: 4 UUP, 4 DUP, 4 SDLP, 2 Alliance, 1 UKUP, 1 Labour, 1 NIWC, 1 PUP, 1UDP
Quorum: 5;
COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL REFORM
Designation: on Electoral Reform
Terms of reference: To recommend methods of countering electoral irregularities — in particular,
(i) removing multiple entries from the electoral register;
(ii) ensuring that those who are entitled to vote are registered;
(iii) providing suitable and convenient polling stations;
(iv) overcoming postal and proxy vote abuse;
(v) preventing voting personation by introducing proper and effective identity checks;
(vi) considering other relevant issues
and report to the Forum with a view to submitting such evidence to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for consideration within the Government's review procedure.
Composition: 4 UUP, 4 DUP, 4 SDLP, 2 Alliance, 1 UKUP, 1 Labour, 1NIWC, 1 PUP, 1UDP
Quorum: 5;
[No more than four Committees, plus the Business Committee, should meet on any Thursday.]
[Remit: Political affairs
Terms of reference: To examine and report on issues which contribute to division, distrust and misunderstanding within Northern Ireland and between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic
Composition: 4 UUP, 4 DUP, 4 SDLP, 2 Alliance, 1 UKUP, 1 Labour, 1 NIWC, 1 PUP, 1UDP
Quorum: 5;]