Joe Higgins
Question:51. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his interaction with the Northern Ireland Executive. [22454/13]
View answerThursday, 16 May 2013
Questions (51)
Written answers
I am involved in ongoing and frequent North-South engagement, with extensive contact with the Northern Ireland Executive. The Irish Government has no better or stronger relationship than we do with the Northern Ireland Executive. I met with the First and deputy First Ministers in Belfast on the 29th of April where we discussed a range of economic and political and security issues. My colleagues in Government and I are committed to working with the Northern Ireland Executive and continue to meet regularly with our Northern counterparts, including in the various North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) formats. In the past year Irish Government Ministers have met with their Northern Ireland counterparts in the various formats of the NSMC on over 50 occasions and that despite the pressures of the EU Presidency.
Northern Executive Ministers have also been invited to a wide range of EU Presidency events. This has facilitated engagement between Irish Government Ministers and their Northern counterparts on matters of shared interest.