Cowen meets with de Chastelain and Reid

Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen has met with Northern Secretary Dr John Reid and Decommissioning Body Head General de Chastelain in Dublin.

The three met to discuss the current situation in the North including decommissioning and the Dublin-Monaghan bombings.

Mr Cowen said progress is continuing on decommissioning but insisted that political engagement is vital in order for all arms to be put fully beyond use.

He said that the Government wants all political parties and representatives to ensure full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

After the meeting Dr Reid dealt with the Dublin-Monaghan bombings inquiry.

The Northern Secretary said that he intends to hold a meeting with the Barron inquiry soon.

Dr Reid responded to accusations that the British government is dragging its heels in providing information to the investigation.

He claims the amount of work involved in checking files is staggering - in the Northern Ireland office alone there are 68,000 files which have to be gone through to see if there is anything relating to the incident.