This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30333085
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
North South Ministerial Council meets in Armagh | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Northern Ireland ministers are meeting Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny and his cabinet colleagues at a North South Ministerial Council conference. | |
The politicians are meeting in Armagh to discuss economic matters and European funding opportunities. | |
The Irish government is expected to call for a cross-border inquiry into allegations of the IRA moving sex abusers across the border. | |
The sex abuse allegations are not formally on the agenda. | |
However, the Irish prime minister (taoiseach) has been highly critical of the IRA's alleged intervention in child abuse cases, following recent claims made by Belfast woman Maíria Cahill. | |
Ms Cahill alleged she was raped by a suspected IRA man when she was a teenager, and that the IRA forced her to confront her rapist before helping to cover up the case. | Ms Cahill alleged she was raped by a suspected IRA man when she was a teenager, and that the IRA forced her to confront her rapist before helping to cover up the case. |
Five people who were prosecuted as a result of her claims were later acquitted of all charges, after Ms Cahill withdrew her evidence. | Five people who were prosecuted as a result of her claims were later acquitted of all charges, after Ms Cahill withdrew her evidence. |
Speaking ahead of the meeting in Armagh, Mr Kenny said: "I look forward to engagement on Friday with members of the Northern Ireland Executive at the North South Ministerial Council where we will have a detailed and open discussion on financial and economic matters. | Speaking ahead of the meeting in Armagh, Mr Kenny said: "I look forward to engagement on Friday with members of the Northern Ireland Executive at the North South Ministerial Council where we will have a detailed and open discussion on financial and economic matters. |
"The meeting will afford us the opportunity to highlight progress, particularly in the economic sphere, in north-south co-operation. | "The meeting will afford us the opportunity to highlight progress, particularly in the economic sphere, in north-south co-operation. |
"We will discuss issues which impact on the protection of children, particularly in relation to e-safety. | "We will discuss issues which impact on the protection of children, particularly in relation to e-safety. |
"The visit will also give me the opportunity to discuss the current political talks process with the first minister and deputy first minister," Mr Kenny added. | "The visit will also give me the opportunity to discuss the current political talks process with the first minister and deputy first minister," Mr Kenny added. |
The Irish government is currently participating in separate, all-party talks in Belfast, convened by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers. | The Irish government is currently participating in separate, all-party talks in Belfast, convened by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers. |
The talks are aimed at finding solutions to long-running disputes on flags, parades, the legacy of the Troubles and welfare reform. | The talks are aimed at finding solutions to long-running disputes on flags, parades, the legacy of the Troubles and welfare reform. |
The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) is a cross-border body established as part of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. | The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) is a cross-border body established as part of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. |
The purpose of the council is to improve cross-border co-operation on matters of mutual interest to people living in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. | The purpose of the council is to improve cross-border co-operation on matters of mutual interest to people living in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. |