Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together.

Together with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, I met with Gerry Adams, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and representatives from Sinn Féin on 8 July last. I then met with Mark Durkan, Minister Margaret Ritchie and their SDLP colleagues on 9 July. At these meetings we discussed recent developments and in particular progress on the devolution of policing and justice and the marching season as well as the positive outcome of the NSMC plenary meeting which took place on 6 July. Following that meeting I had discussions with First Minister, Peter Robinson, over lunch. I have already replied to questions in this House on the NSMC plenary.

I had a number of telephone conversations with Prime Minister Brown in recent days and weeks in the context of the ongoing situation on the devolution of policing and justice. The Minister, Deputy Martin, also met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Shaun Woodward, on 7 October to discuss the issue and they met again this week.

Our officials are keeping in regular contact with the Northern Ireland parties, the Northern Ireland Office and No. 10 Downing Street. There was a further meeting between First Minister Robinson, Deputy First Minister McGuinness and Prime Minister Brown last night in Downing Street.

I am heartened by the successful outcome to those discussions. I understand that a financial package to support devolution of policing and justice was agreed and will be published later today. The First and Deputy First Ministers have indicated that they will consult with their colleagues and other parties on the package, as well as having further talks between themselves to resolve any remaining issues.

At my meeting with US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in Farmleigh on 11 October our discussions focused on current developments in Northern Ireland and the importance of supporting the Northern Ireland parties in moving forward on the devolution of policing and justice. We both welcomed the progress made in discussions between Prime Minister Brown and the First and Deputy First Ministers in recent weeks. There was also a shared emphasis on the need to promote economic development in Northern Ireland, as well as building up the all-island economy as a key element of economic recovery. I thanked Secretary of State Clinton for her steadfast personal attention to the issue of Northern Ireland and her continued friendship for Ireland.

I met with Sir Hugh Orde in Government Buildings on 27 July. He formally completed his term as Chief Constable of the PSNI on 31 August. I thanked Sir Hugh for the contribution he made to policing in Northern Ireland and wished him well in his new role as president of the Association of Chief Police Officers. I take this opportunity to wish his successor, Matt Baggott, well in his new role.

On 15 October I addressed the North-South Consultative Conference in Farmleigh. The conference was attended by the social partners, North and South, along with other members of civil society. There was a wide-ranging discussion on the contribution that civil society can make to supporting the process.

The next meeting of the British-Irish Council will take place on 13 November in Jersey. At the meeting we will focus discussion on the current global economic crisis as well as the theme of minority languages. The next plenary meeting of the NSMC will take place on 14 December in Northern Ireland and I expect we will have further discussions on the economy at that meeting. In total, we have had four plenary meetings of the NSMC since May 2007 and another 43 ministerial meetings over the same period.

I pay tribute to the important role that Senator Ted Kennedy played over many years in the peace process and more generally to the welfare of this island. His passing is a great loss for Ireland and the United States.

The total amount spent on the MacEntee commission of investigation, which completed its work in March 2007, was €2,632,702. All costs relating to the commission of investigation have been discharged.

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