Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 22, inclusive, together.

On Monday, we were witness to truly unprecedented developments in Northern Ireland. Anyone with any sense of the history and troubles of this island understands the significance of the meeting between Sinn Féin and the DUP and their unequivocal agreement to restore the devolved institutions on 8 May. I know that everyone in this House applauds these developments which have the potential to transform the future of this island.

I discussed the emerging situation with Prime Minister Blair on several occasions over the weekend and we also met in Berlin on Sunday. We also spoke on the telephone immediately following the Sinn Féin and the DUP announcement. In view of the absolute commitment to the restoration of the Good Friday Agreement institutions, we agreed to accommodate the new date of 8 May. The Prime Minister and I will remain in touch over the coming period. Emergency legislation was last night passed at Westminster to accommodate the new date for restoration.

Northern Ireland has moved into a new and very positive place. We will continue to assist the parties in any way possible as they prepare together for restoration. I urge them to make the best use of the preparatory period now available to ensure the new Executive will be able to discharge its responsibilities with full and immediate effect from 8 May. I welcome the announcement that the preparation for government will include regular meetings between the future First and Deputy First Ministers.

On 4 February, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I met with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Mr. Peter Hain, in Wales. We discussed progress on the Northern Ireland peace process and its assembly election. That election, which was held on 7 March, was an integral part of the process and timetable agreed at St. Andrews. The results of the election were a strong validation by the people of Northern Ireland of the St. Andrews Agreement. It is gratifying that the parties have now responded to the will of the people.

The improved financial package for Northern Ireland that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, revealed last week includes a substantial contribution from the South, which will result in improved linkages between North and South benefiting everyone on this island. While the parties envisage further discussions on the package with the Treasury, I hope that what has already been announced will enable the new Executive to have the scope and opportunity to achieve real economic progress in Northern Ireland.

As at all stages in the peace process, close contact is maintained at different levels with the British Government and with the political parties in Northern Ireland. During my visit to the US, I had an opportunity for engagement with a number of Northern politicians and, together with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I met a Sinn Féin delegation last week. I continue to advance the proposal to establish a new joint Oireachtas committee on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Officials are currently working on drafting orders of reference for a new joint committee.

I visited the United States from 13 to 16 March to mark the St. Patrick's Day period. During this time, I visited New York, where I met the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, and key representatives of the financial services industry. I also visited the Twin Towers memorial centre, spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations and met a delegation from the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.

I travelled to Washington on 14 March and attended the American Ireland Fund national gala dinner. On 15 March, I attended the Speaker's lunch on Capitol Hill and had meetings with a large number of prominent US politicians, such as Senators Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell. I also met the Friends of Ireland group and the Ireland America Economic Advisory Board.

On 16 March, I participated in the traditional ceremonies at the White House when I presented President Bush with a bowl of shamrock. I then met the President in the Oval Office for discussions on Northern Ireland, immigration reform and several other current international issues. The support and encouragement of the President and our friends in the United States for our efforts in securing agreement in Northern Ireland is greatly appreciated. I particularly welcome the fact that the President was in contact directly with both Dr. Paisley and Gerry Adams last week.

During the St. Patrick's Day period, the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Kitt, visited Warsaw from 14 to 18 March. The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Treacy, was in Ireland for St. Patrick's Day. Detailed costs arising from both the Minister of State's visit to Poland and my visit to the United States are not yet available.

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