Ruairí Quinn
Question:56 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a new date has been fixed for the meeting of the British-Irish Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8722/01]
Written Answers - Northern Ireland Issues.
Dick Spring
Question:89 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is expected that the next full British-Irish Council meeting will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12928/01]
Michael Noonan
Question:101 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the next meeting of the British-Irish Council will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9951/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 89 and 101 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, the summit-level meeting of the British-Irish Council scheduled to take place in Dublin on 23 January was postponed to facilitate the continuing discussions between the two Governments and the political parties in Northern Ireland. Although no new date has yet been set the Government looks forward to hosting this important meeting at the earliest possible date. We also look forward to further ministerial meetings taking place in the agreed areas of work.