Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I have responsibility for Northern Ireland matters, working with the Tánaiste and the Northern Ireland section of the Department. There is very strong co-ordination of activity and interaction with the political parties and representatives from the North. I spoke to the First Minister, Mr. Peter Robinson, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, in the last two days and we have arranged for the North-South Ministerial Council to meet in June, to which I look forward. There will be much interaction on issues of an all-island and cross-Border nature which will be discussed at the Council.

The process of appointing advisers has been well laid out. Those who are appointed as advisers must work with whatever Minister is in situ. The same is true of my own responsibility as Taoiseach. The salaries, when finalised, will be published, as all these things are. The cost of the advisory service to me will be approximately 20% lower than that of my predecessor.

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