Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The meeting this afternoon will be an opportunity for me to meet the new British Prime Minister in a formal bilateral meeting. I met him informally at the European Council meeting and referred to the statement he made in the House of Commons on the Saville inquiry report. I told him that what he said and the spirit in which he said it was appreciated by the families and I commended him in that respect. The issues that will emerge will include those relating to Northern Ireland, the general bilateral relationship between Britain and Ireland and any European issues of concern to us that we wish to discuss. That will be the general context of the meeting.

I thank the Deputy for his comments regarding my speech on 20 May. I did not set out a comprehensive list of what is to be commemorated, but simply indicated to the British-Irish studies group that issues such as the First World War, the establishment of the State, their own rising and similar matters were all issues that would be commemorated and that we would seek to address them in as inclusive a way as possible consistent with historical accuracy. Various traditions place varying emphasis on various issues, but we should seek to commemorate these traditions in a way that is mutually respectful of our shared history. On the question of the all-party committee, I understand it is concerned with the commemoration of the Easter Rising and does not have a wider remit. Any input parties wish to have on these matters over the next decade will be appreciated and welcome.

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