Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 14, inclusive, together. I spoke with British Prime Minister Cameron last week in advance of his speech on the EU and UK relations. I also saw him and spoke to him briefly at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Outside of the European Council meetings, I expect to meet bilaterally with him, probably in March, for the first of our annual summits to review progress on the relationship between Britain and Ireland following the joint statement that we concluded together last March.

Although I welcome the fact that the level of public disorder has significantly diminished over the past number of days, this does nothing to lessen the urgent requirement for political solutions to the current situation. I remain deeply concerned at the street violence in parts of Belfast since late last year, the attacks on members of the PSNI, including the attempted murder of police officers, and the widespread attempts to intimidate public representatives and their families. The Tánaiste spoke in detail about the situation during a topical debate three weeks ago in the House and I know it is one that concerns many Deputies.

On Friday, 18 January, I met David Ford, MLA, Northern Ireland Minister for Justice and leader of the Alliance Party, some of whose members were targeted by loyalist groups in the aftermath of the decision by Belfast City Council. Let me emphasise that security and co-operation on the island has never been stronger. The Minister was in Dublin at our invitation to attend an EU informal Council of Ministers meeting on justice and home affairs, which illustrates the strength of our relationship with the Northern Ireland Executive. Other Ministers have been invited to further EU informal meetings and Presidency events. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, met the First Minister and Deputy First Minister last Thursday at a PEACE programme conference in Brussels hosted by European Commissioner Johannes Hahn. I also plan to meet the SDLP next week.

We will continue to work closely with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the British Government and with all political representatives to help identify ways to address not just the current unrest but its underlying causes. In this regard the Tánaiste is in regular contact with political leaders in the North and travelled to Belfast on Thursday, 17 January, to meet the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the flag protests and violence in Belfast and to review developments towards calming the situation. The Tánaiste made clear that the Government will provide all support necessary for Executive Ministers and local politicians to help find solutions to the current crisis and to work closely together to identify ways to address not just the current crisis but its underlying causes.

I attended the 19th summit meeting of the British-Irish Council, BIC, in Cardiff on 26 November last, which was chaired by the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones. The council discussed the current economic situation in the different member Administrations, with a particular focus on the important role of investment in capital infrastructure to support recovery and growth. The council also noted the latest figures on youth unemployment and requested all BIC work sectors to consider the issue of generating employment opportunities for young people in their work programmes where appropriate. The next BIC summit takes place in Derry on 21 June. The next North-South Ministerial Council plenary session, which I will host, will take place in Dublin on 5 July, after our EU Presidency has concluded.

I have not been asked recently to meet with Mr. William Frazer, although I did meet him as part of a delegation led by Northern Minister Danny Kennedy, MLA, and the Kingsmill families when I met them in Dublin in September. I have not discussed the reduction in the rate of corporation tax with Prime Minister Cameron. This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Treasury.

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