Full text of statement issued by Taoiseach Brian Cowen following Peter Robinson's decision to step aside temporarily as First Minister:
"I want to pass on my best wishes to Peter Robinson and his family as they deal with very difficult personal issues at this time.
I welcome his decision to continue to work on the crucial issue of devolution of policing and justice and his commitment to a successful resolution.
I also offer best wishes to Arlene Foster in her new role.
I would also like to once again extend my best wishes to Constable Peadar Heffron, who was the victim a dreadful criminal attack last week.
Constable Heffron is an Irishman, a lover of our language and of our national games, who has been working to help bring about a better future for his country.
The contrast with the evil people who tried to kill him could not be greater.
Amidst all of these serious developments, the political leaders of Northern Ireland now need to focus on the stability of the democratic institutions and on continuing to move forward to a better future for the entire community.
Northern Ireland, like all other parts of these islands, faces serious economic and social challenges. These are the issues that matter to ordinary people and that need to be tackled by stable, democratic institutions.
I have spoken to [British] prime minister Brown in recent days and we will remain in close contact.
We issued a joint statement before Christmas in which we made clear that we need an early resolution to the issue of devolution of policing and justice. That position hasn’t changed.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs will meet the Secretary of State in Dublin tomorrow to review the situation.
Of course, I respect the right of the parties and the elected representatives in the Northern Ireland institutions to deal with the matters that have arisen in recent days and to make their own decisions.
But I also fully recognise the duty of everyone, including the two Governments, to protect the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and to ensure that they continue to develop and to serve the community.
I believe it is now essential that there is swift progress, in the coming days, on the devolution of policing and justice. That is in the interests of all of the parties and all of the people they represent. ”