Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Question Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, 33 and 34 together.

I held a wide ranging discussion with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron on 18 April in Downing Street. As I outlined in my reply to parliamentary questions in this House on 19 April, this included an exchange of views and experience in dealing with our economic problems. In that context, we discussed job creation as a critical part of economic recovery. The close economic ties between Ireland and the UK are well recognised. The UK is a major export market for Irish goods and services and vice versa.

As Members will be aware, the Government last week announced details of its jobs initiative, which has a major focus on tourism as a source of jobs and, in particular, the importance to us of the UK market with almost half of our overseas visitors coming from there. A number of measures which form part of this initiative, including the Tourism Marketing Fund, the 9% VAT rate for tourism related businesses, the suspension of the air travel tax and the common visa treatment with the UK are all designed to make Ireland a more attractive tourist destination, particularly in the UK, and to boost jobs in this industry.

I met with Prime Minister Cameron in Government Buildings on the evening of Wednesday, 18 May. Our discussions focused on the complete transformation of the relationship between Britain and Ireland in recent years. The closeness of that relationship has been demonstrated by the warmth with which the Queen has been received in this country.

We also discussed EU issues and our shared economic difficulties.

We had a discussion of legacy issues related to Northern Ireland, including the cases of Pat Finucane and the Dublin Monaghan bombings, which was the subject of an all-party motion of the House. The Tánaiste also raised the matter with the British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, when he met him last week. I understand the Tánaiste also met with Justice for the Forgotten on 12 May last and thoroughly discussed the issues with them. He indicated his willingness to maintain contact with them.

I welcomed Queen Elizabeth to Government Buildings last Wednesday. During our meeting we reflected on the strong relationship between our two countries and the historic nature of the visit by the Queen.

This was a truly historic occasion which marked a further strengthening and maturing of the bilateral relationship between our two countries.

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