Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe there was any deliberate intention of not keeping us in the loop, as it were. I have seen some of the comments that it was expected such an announcement was to be made. I will have to come back to the Deputy on whether we got a copy of the announcement in advance.

The relationship between both Governments is very good, as well as that between officials in my Department and those in Downing Street. The Prime Minister invited me to attend the recent G8 summit, both as holder of the Presidency and because it was on the island of Ireland.

While Deputy Martin is concerned about prior knowledge of the announcement, it may well be that we had advance knowledge of it but it was overshadowed by other Presidency activities. I will find out about that for the Deputy. However, I do not believe there was any deliberate intention of moving off to a point of individual connections or not keeping us informed. We have been engaged with our Northern Ireland counterparts on a whole series of fronts. My officials may well have been informed of the substance of the announcement in Downing Street before it was made. I will check it for the Deputy.

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