Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.

On 24 May 2008, I travelled to Cardiff to meet with the First Minister of Wales, Mr. Rhodri Morgan. I was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Martin Cullen. The meeting was an excellent opportunity to build on our bilateral relationship as Ireland and Wales share many economic, cultural and social areas of interest, including the promotion of the Irish and Welsh languages. I briefed the First Minister on political developments in Northern Ireland and we discussed economic issues and the important role education can play for future prosperity. We also discussed efforts to encourage students to study science and engineering.

I attended the 11th British-Irish Council summit hosted by the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, in Edinburgh on 26 September. The summit was attended by representatives of all members of the council, including the Northern Ireland Executive. I was accompanied by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Pat Carey.

The council is a valuable forum to exchange information and discuss issues of mutual interest. At the summit on 26 September, we discussed the current global economic position, as well as demography and energy issues. The council agreed to adopt an early years policy work stream, with Wales leading. We were also updated on the strategic review of the council and mandated the secretariat to continue its work with a view to presenting final proposals for consideration at the next summit in Wales next February.

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