ECONOMIC ISSUES will dominate the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Dublin today where Taoiseach Brian Cowen will lead an Irish Government delegation of 10 Ministers.
The delegation led by Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness is expected to include eight Ministers.
Mr Cowen said last night there was no doubt that both parts of the island were facing unprecedented economic difficulties.
“However, for the first time in our history, as a result of the peace process, we are in a position to work together to face those challenges,” he added.
“There is no doubt, on a small island of six million people, there are great benefits to be gained from working together and improving value for money in a wide range of areas, from joint infrastructure projects to providing better public services.”
Mr Cowen said that the meeting would be an opportunity to review the excellent progress already made. “It will enable us to focus ever more keenly on the future benefits to be attained by working together on a cross-Border basis.”
The meeting, at Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park, Dublin will discuss the economic situation, its implications for the all-island economy and the potential contribution that North-South co-operation could make to recovery.
Ministers will also review progress on key cross-Border projects in a range of areas, including roads and telecommunications. The meeting is expected to review cross-Border preparations to deal with swine flu.
This will be the fourth plenary session of the council since the restoration of the Northern Ireland institutions. The last meeting was held in Derry in January. So far this year, there have been nine ministerial meetings dealing with individual sectors.
