Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 15, inclusive, together.

Before dealing with the detailed questions that Deputies have put down on Northern Ireland, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Dr. Ian Paisley, following his announcement that he will step down from his post in May. I said yesterday that he was a giant in the history of these islands and I do not think anyone in the House would dispute that. While history must be the judge of what was a very long and sometimes controversial career, today we should reflect on the huge courage and leadership he showed in recent years and the legacy of peace and hope that he will leave for future generations.

I met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Manchester on Sunday, 10 February, where we discussed recent developments in Northern Ireland and future challenges. We later attended events marking the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster. At the meeting, we reiterated our commitment to completing the process of devolution through the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive as we continue to implement the St. Andrews Agreement in full. This issue will be the main focus of our efforts in the coming months.

We also discussed how we could continue to lend our support to the Executive in other ways, including through increased east-west and North-South co-operation to develop the economy.

We look forward to participating in the Northern Ireland investment conference on 8 May and we will offer every assistance we can to the Executive to make the conference a success.

Prime Minister Brown and I are united in working closely together in partnership to build on the huge and historic transformation in relationships that we are now seeing in these islands. We will keep in touch and I expect we will meet again at the European Council on 13 March.

On 1 February, I met with the First Minister, Dr. Paisley, in Ballymena when we also discussed recent developments, including the recent budget agreed by the Executive, as well as arrangements for meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council.

I chaired a successful meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Dundalk on 7 February, which was attended by the First Minister, Dr. Ian Paisley, and Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, as well as a range of Government Ministers and Ministers from the Executive. At the meeting, we had a broad discussion on issues aimed at delivering practical benefits for all the people on this island.

In particular, we had constructive discussions on co-operation on economic and social issues, transport and road safety, and child protection. The next meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council is due to take place in October in Northern Ireland.

On the evening of 7 February, I was also delighted to be guest of honour with Dr. Paisley at the annual dinner of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. On 14 February, I chaired the tenth summit meeting of the British-Irish Council at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. I was delighted to welcome heads of delegation from the eight participating administrations, which included Paul Murphy, who has responsibility for the British-Irish Council in the British Government, Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, and Rhodri Morgan, First Minister of Wales.

We had a useful and informative summit meeting at which we discussed the importance of supporting families to overcome the problems of drug misuse and the role families can play in the rehabilitation process. The council agreed to include a renewed focus on the families of problem drug users in any future drugs strategies prepared. There was also a discussion on the problems we face with alcohol abuse.

We also discussed and welcomed progress on the strategic review of the British-Irish Council and tasked the secretariat, in liaison with member administrations, to report back with the final recommendations at the next summit in Scotland next September.

The tenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement will provide a useful opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and the progress we have made in implementing the agreement. On 3 April, I will be delivering the keynote address at a conference organised by the Institute of British Irish Studies in UCD to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. I will also attend the US Ireland Alliance event taking place in Belfast on 10 April to mark the anniversary of the agreement, which Bill Clinton will be attending. I will attend a conference and degree-conferring ceremony in Queen's University Belfast on 22 May that will also mark the tenth anniversary of the agreement.

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