Accusations the authorities are turning a blind eye to cross-border smuggling in an act of “appeasement” have been dismissed by Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan.

The potential for cross-border co-operation to pull Ireland out of the economic crisis will top the agenda at the latest North/South Ministerial Council today.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is due to hold his first formal meeting with the new British Prime Minister later today.

The Ulster Unionist Party has today been voting on the issue of whether or not the party should continue in the North-South Ministerial Council meetings.