Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I said earlier that a constructive relationship has developed between our Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Administration, Mr. Sammy Wilson, on these NAMA issues which have been discussed at plenary sessions of the North-South Ministerial Council in terms of updating people on the position and the fact that we have now enacted the legislation and are moving to operationalise the agency. Both sides are happy with the level of information flow that is taking place and concerns are being addressed as people raise them. Some of them may have legitimacy; others might well be concerns people have and, in terms of explaining how it will operate, those concerns are dispelled in great measure.

There was not a specific discussion on the Presbyterian Mutual Society. Obviously, this is a matter for bilateral contact between respective finance Ministers and officials as to whether anything can be done in that regard.

In regard to the A5 and the A8 which are going ahead, progress can be reported. The contracts are being divided into three separate contracts within the Northern Ireland area for which local contracting firms compete and successfully obtain tenders. The level of progress made to date has been welcomed. As the Deputy is aware, we are committed to that project not only as an opportunity to demonstrate North-South co-operation, but because it is very much in our own interest in how we develop the north west that we co-operate with the Northern Ireland Administration to effect a roadway which will greatly improve access to a very beautiful part of the country and one that, with greater co-operation, can be exploited fully to the mutual benefit of all communities in that area.

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