Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. I visited Northern Ireland on 26 March and met with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in Stormont Buildings. We discussed recent developments, including the attacks by dissident groups, the unified response of the political parties and the excellent co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda and progress on the devolution of policing and justice.

Later that evening, I addressed the CBI Northern Ireland annual dinner in Belfast. In the course of my speech, I highlighted the importance of North-South co-operation and the contribution the island economy can make to economic recovery and the co-operation between Government Departments and agencies on both sides of the Border which are actively engaged in attracting foreign investment, on overseas trade missions, building our higher education capacity and training and skills development. I also reiterated the Government's commitment to investment in infrastructure projects that will benefit everyone on this island.

I met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the European Council meeting in March and I expect to meet him again at the next Council meeting in June.

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