Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I ask this question because there are a lot of similarities, though not exact, between the two countries. We are both island people, we are both partitioned and our nearest neighbours make claims on our sovereignty and so on. As I understand it, Cyprus has a special relationship with the EU. I wonder if the Taoiseach had the opportunity to tease any of that out. In our own situation, we have proposed that a special committee be established under the auspices of the North-South Ministerial Council to harmonise and maximise all-Ireland co-operation. We have also proposed the establishment of a border economic development zone to harmonise trade and maximise returns for Border businesses. We have argued for additional investment in the A5 and the Narrow Water Bridge to be matched by the Northern Executive. I am looking to learn from the situation in Cyprus. Was the Taoiseach able to develop any dialogue with the president which would help us as we face into the challenges in the time ahead?

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