§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made in co-operation between Ireland and the United Kingdom in developing east-west relations since publication of the progress report issued on the margins of the European Council Meeting in Luxembourg on 12 December 1997; on what dates the Joint Steering Group co-chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and the Cabinet Office has met in 1998 and in 1999 to date; if he will list those documents agreed by the Joint Steering Group; and if he will place a copy of each in the Library. [89899]
§ Mr. KilfoyleThere has been close and effective co-operation between the two Governments since the Luxembourg Council, and officials and Ministers of both Governments have continued to take forward the programme of work outlined in the Joint Report of 12 December 1997, with frequent ministerial visits in both directions. There was further evidence of the closeness of the relationship when the Prime Minister accepted an invitation from the Taoiseach to address the Irish Parliament on 26 November last year. Co-operation has also been manifested in the efforts of the two Governments to facilitate the Good Friday Agreement of 10 April 1998 and its subsequent implementation. It has not been612W necessary for officials of the Department of Taoiseach and the Cabinet Office to meet specifically in order to coordinate this work. The Government look forward to strengthening that co-operation further when the British-Irish Council and the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference, established under the agreement come into operation.