Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and thank him for his presentation. I note in his speaking note that he referred to the North-South Ministerial Council meeting taking place in April. We raised this issue, particularly in relation to the Narrow Water Bridge project when we visited it. Can the Minister give us any report on what has been happening at ministerial meetings until now? Perhaps his predecessor has a report on that. We also noted that he met Louth County Council and, as he rightly said, support is required on both sides of the Border to advance that particular project. However, the committee was hoping the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade would have a role in promoting this and the other projects and that, along with the Taoiseach's office in relation to his meetings with the British Prime Minister, it would also support what the committee is trying to do. At every level we have been trying to do that. In practical terms, does the Minister have the outcome of any reports of those meetings? Can he tell us what projects he will be trying to raise at the next meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council?