Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Kenny asked about the SDLP, the UUP and the Northern Ireland Executive. In only six months extraordinary progress has been made. In recent weeks the first budget was completed, setting out a financial framework for next year and for the future. The programme for Govenrment has also been completed. I met Ms Richie this day last week when she was here for a meeting with colleagues. We have had several meetings with different members of the Executive and British MPs. From what we can see, they are working extremely well together. It is a great achievement. I should have acknowledged in my reply their success in putting together a programme for Government and setting out their budget.

Members of the Assembly are also intensely involved in discussions in Europe. The President of the European Commission, Mr. Barroso, met some members and was impressed with their collective efforts to move issues forward. They have been involved in discussions with the Treasury and here with the Tánaiste on the north-west gateway initiative and other programmes. Next month they will make an important visit to the United States. Again, this will be a collective visit. The image of members of all parties — including the First Minister, who is a member of the DUP, the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, and members of the UUP and SDLP — working together inspires huge confidence. It is also helpful in terms of business and tourism. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Brennan, had a meeting with his Northern Ireland counterpart the other day to discuss tourism plans for the next few years. Overall, they are working well together.

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