Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

With regard to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, I have pointed out that the Clerk of the Dáil has written to the Clerk of the House of Commons, arising from the Oireachtas resolution, and, as I have said previously, any follow-up of this should be considered in consultation with the parties and be raised with the Whips. Obviously, there is always an ongoing effort at official level to resolve outstanding issues and to put forward various points of view of the Government on a range of issues. However, the specific issue was not raised by me in my first meeting with Prime Minister Cameron. That matter relates to broader political issues within Northern Ireland. It was my first meeting with Prime Minister Cameron as Taoiseach and I was anxious to establish a rapport and relationship with him.

The meeting took place in the aftermath of the publication of the Saville report. All of us would recognise that Prime Minister Cameron discharged the responsibility he had in light of the content of that report in an impressive way. His response, while it may not have brought closure, has brought a great sense of reassurance and has been very helpful to the families of the deceased and to the city more widely in terms of promoting community relations after that traumatic event in 1972. It was in that context the meeting took place. Other wider political issues were also discussed, European issues, etc.

The Deputy raised the issue of co-operation. I agree there are many areas where the Government would like to see greater co-operation, particularly in the context of the fiscal challenges faced on both sides of the Border. It makes common sense to get the best possible return for taxpayers' money, North and South. This matter is being dealt with in many respects.

I do not have at hand the particular context or reason for non-publication of the report to which the Deputy referred. Perhaps a direct question to the Minister for Health and Children would elicit that information. I remind the Deputy that, as with all North-South issues, the consent of both parties is required to proceed with either investigations into various policy issues or whatever arises in terms of publication of papers or reports that would come about as a result of the work undertaken. It may be there was not full agreement to do that at the time. I do not have the information with me and do not want to engage in conjecture that would be unjust to any party. The health area generally is one where we have co-operation. I refer to the fact that the development of cancer services in Altnagelvin in Derry will provide an excellent service for the people of Donegal, which is the natural hinterland of the Derry city area. I am also aware that renal services have been provided for people in the Cooley peninsula in Daisyhill Hospital in Newry for a long time. Many other areas could be examined productively. We are engaged with the North on medical and scientific research on an all-Ireland basis. There is also significant collaboration on health issues generally between industry and the universities on an all-island basis.

I accept the Deputy's point. The Government and all in the House would like to see every opportunity being taken where co-operation would bring a better service for people, particularly in the context of the limited budgets both the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government must contend with in providing services.

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