Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I met the Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, at the airport in the first instance when I arrived and we had a bilateral discussion on our own for about half an hour. I had known Mr. Brown when he was Chancellor and we discussed many issues and had a general political discussion. We joined officials thereafter and discussed issues of bilateral interest between Britain and Ireland, the Northern peace process obviously being an important element of that but not the only one. We discussed how we might be able to review the relations that exist between Britain and Ireland to ascertain what way we can advance them during our respective tenures in office, being relatively recent incumbents.

I also joined the Prime Minister at the investment conference and spoke with him there. We were joined by others and met investors and potential investors who attended the conference at Stormont. I also attended a meeting with Sinn Féin before the dinner took place, attended the dinner and met various functionaries and others.

In regard to my trip to Cardiff, I previously met the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, in Ireland while I was serving in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs. We discussed relations between Wales and Ireland and attended the match afterwards. Obviously, the British-Irish Council is the context in which discussions can be advanced between us and with others in terms of the east-west connection under the Good Friday Agreement.

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