Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the visit of his Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, to Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12907/09]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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At the invitation of the Nigerian Government, I led an official and business delegation to Nigeria on 18 to 25 March last with the aim of strengthening bilateral co-operation in relation to immigration and to improve economic relations between our two countries.

On matters to do with immigration, I met with members of the Nigerian Government, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Mr Michael Aondoakaa, and the Minister of Interior, Major-General (rtd) Godwin Abbe. The operation of the Readmission Agreement concluded by both Governments in 2001 was reviewed and agreed to be working well. In addition, as has become public knowledge, Mr Aondoakaa referred to a particular case. I cannot comment on this case as it is before the courts.

On business matters, representatives of the following Irish businesses, under the auspices of the Irish-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce (which was also represented on the visit) and the Nigerian Embassy, Dublin, took part in the visit: John Gartland and Partners Limited, Consulting Engineers; Whelan Corcoran Smith, Architects/Planners; Haahjem Heavy Duty Crushing Plants and Equipments; Ber Store, Solar Power Generators; Carey Glass; Kerrigan Sheanon Newman, Chartered Quantity Surveyors; Scott Construction; Trinity Shipping; Sutton Cronin Crowley, Consulting Engineers; Transcontinental Services; GT Plant Hire; OBK Development; James Booth, Financial Advisers and Consultants; Byrne, Anike; and Tullow Oil and Gas. I led the business delegation at meetings with Ministers at the Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Environment, Housing and Urban Development and Information and Communications, and the National Planning Commission.

I also paid courtesy calls on the Adamawa State Governor, Vice-Admiral (rtd) Murtala Nyako, and the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Dr Tanimu Yakubu. In addition, I attended a dinner reception for the delegation hosted by the Senate President, Senator David Mark. I am pleased to report that the visit was extremely successful in terms both of the official contacts with the Nigerian authorities on immigration issues and the opportunities to develop and strengthen economic relationships with Nigeria.