Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Yes, I agree. The Deputy can take it that I encourage Ministers to actively pursue such contact. I intend to travel to Northern Ireland in the near future and engage in activities, projects and so on represented by the different parties and communities. As the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister pointed out recently, having gone through a process of conducting normal elections in Northern Ireland, there is a period ahead in which there will be no election. That will allow for stability and a platform to be built on. We should seize the opportunity and demonstrate that we are serious about co-operation on North-South issues. Where we can achieve efficiencies and demonstrate common purpose we should do so. The Deputy can take it that Ministers will be engaged actively with their counterparts in the Executive.

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