Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together.

The Hillsborough Agreement provided the basis for a significant step in the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement by allowing the completion of the devolution of policing and justice powers. The appointment of Mr. David Ford, MLA, a locally accountable justice Minister, was a further important landmark in consolidating the peace process.

While justice is not a formally agreed area for North-South co-operation under the Good Friday Agreement, I am glad to say that the current excellent level of cross-Border co-operation in policing and justice matters is unprecedented. Intergovernmental agreements on policing co-operation and on co-operation on criminal justice matters provide the framework for North-South co-operation in this area. The Intergovernmental Agreement on Criminal Justice Co-operation provides for regular meetings between the justice Ministers, North and South, who receive reports from a working group made up of representatives from both jurisdictions, including senior Garda and PSNI officers and the heads of various criminal justice agencies.

The Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has met with the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice, Mr. David Ford MLA, a number of times since the devolution of policing and justice and the two Ministers met again on 12 November to formally review ongoing co-operation. The Government is also in ongoing contact with the British authorities in our joint efforts to combat the threat from so-called dissident groups. The ongoing co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI will remain critical in tackling this threat.

There are areas of agreed North-South co-operation under the Good Friday Agreement. These include agriculture; education; transport; environment; waterways; social security-social welfare; tourism and relevant EU programmes; inland fisheries; aquaculture and marine matters; health; and urban and rural development. There are regular meetings of Ministers, North and South, to review and progress areas of North-South co-operation in each of these sectors.

The review group appointed under the St. Andrews Agreement was asked, as part of its terms of reference, to examine the case for additional bodies and areas of co-operation within the North-South Ministerial Council where mutual benefit would be derived. At the last North-South Ministerial Council plenary meeting in Dublin in July, the Council agreed that recommendations in a report prepared for the review group by an advisory panel of experts and advisers would be forwarded for views to Ministers who have responsibility for the North-South bodies. They noted consultation that is underway within Executive Departments on the second and third terms of reference of the St. Andrews Agreement review and anticipated that the review group would move rapidly to conclude its work when this is complete. Ministers agreed to consider the outcome of consultation that is underway in both jurisdictions at a future North-South Ministerial Council meeting.

I would hope to see the St. Andrews review process brought to a conclusion in the near future. I believe we need to move on to a more expansive agenda. There is much potential for mutual benefit that can be realised within the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement. We continue to make that point to our partners and we hope that, internally, the Executive can come forward with a review process that can be completed and allow us proceed.

It should also be noted that at the twice yearly plenary meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council, as well as considering issues across the agreed areas of co-operation, it is now regular practice to discuss the economic situation and to consider where co-operation could be to the mutual benefit of both jurisdictions. I am firmly of the view that it makes sense for us to work together to achieve economies and efficiencies to mutual benefit, especially in the face of the economic challenges faced throughout the island. As I have outlined, there is also ongoing co-operation in the justice area. I look forward to continuing to work with my Northern colleagues to progress and develop North-South co-operation to the greatest extent possible.

I am glad to note that the first ever North-South Parliamentary Forum conference took place in Newcastle, County Down, over two days on 7 and 8 October. That conference was attended by representatives from all parties in the Oireachtas and Stormont and was co-chaired by the Speaker, Mr William Hay, and the Ceann Comhairle. I understand that the conference followed a detailed work programme covering issues such as building parliamentary links with Europe and agriculture and rural development issues. The Tánaiste and the British Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Nick Clegg, were guest speakers at the conference dinner.

There will be a further North-South Consultative Conference on 8 December involving civil society from both North and South.

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