Deputy First Minister meets Irish Taoiseach

The newly elected Deputy First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive Mark Durkan has met with the Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern at Government Buildings in Dublin.

The meeting which took place on Thursday November 15, had been organised by the pair in order to discuss and review the progress to date made in the peace process.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Durkan said: "I very much welcome this early opportunity as Deputy First Minister to meet the Taoiseach and share views on the welcome political progress that we have made in recent weeks and to look ahead to the task which still faces us. We all have a duty to deliver stable, uninterrupted and inclusive institutions in line with the vision set out in the Good Friday Agreement.”

Stressing the importance of North-South co-operation, Mr Durkan said he was looking forward to working closely with the Irish Government through the operation of the North-South Ministerial Council and Implementation Bodies.

He also said “I am also committed to ensuring the effective working of the British Irish Council to promote stronger East-West relationships. We must work to develop dialogue, partnership and action on matters of mutual interest and concern.

"I look forward to making the most of the productive relationship established with the Taoiseach during the political negotiations leading up to Good Friday Agreement and developed since. We know each other well and I share his determination to ensure its full implementation. We are making steady progress in achieving the objectives set out in the Agreement but there is still a long way to go." (AMcE)