On 29 October 2003, representatives of the Irish Bishops' Conference met the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, to discuss several issues including EU proposals to fund embryonic stem cell research. The bishops representing the conference at the meeting were Cardinal Desmond Connell, Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Joseph Duffy, Bishop of Clogher, and Dr. Patrick Walsh, Bishop of Down and Connor. On 6 November, Bishop Joseph Duffy wrote to the Taoiseach on behalf of the Irish Bishops' Conference delegation and stated: