Ahern calls for greater EU effort to combat terrorism

Ireland needs to work with the rest of Europe to combat the menace of terrorism, the Taoiseach said today.

The Taoiseach was speaking as political leaders from Ireland and the UK gathered in Belfast to discuss greater cooperation in the fight against organised crime.

Roads and economic development were also on the agenda for British/Irish Council talks featuring British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and leaders from the other devolved administrations.

Mr Ahern said the battle against insurgency could only be won through good will on all sides.

"Anything we can do about harmonising rules and regulations that make that more efficient all the better. In Europe generally more effort has to be put in."

Steps to improve systems would include biometric data on passports and better information sharing between the 27 countries of the European Union.

Ireland and Britain are not within the Schengen Agreement which signalled greater integration between countries on the European mainland. Biometric visas are due to be introduced in 2009.

"It is an area where it's in everybody's interest to fight against crime, to fight against drugs and fight against organised criminals who make vast amounts of money."

The council brings together eight governments representing Westminster, Dublin, devolved nations, the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man.

Mr Brown said he was delighted to be making his first visit to the North as British Prime Minister so soon after the successful restoration of powersharing government.

"I believe that we have entered into a new historic time for Northern Ireland," he said.

He confirmed that details of a £51.5bn (€76.1bn) investment package for the North for the next few years would be unveiled in the comprehensive spending review in the autumn.

Measures to boost economic regeneration in the regions are expected to be discussed including better roads linking Ireland north and south.

First Minister Ian Paisley and deputy Martin McGuinness welcomed the leaders as they arrived at Stormont.

Mr Paisley said: "This is a very important meeting and to have all of the leaders of these various governments with us today including our new Prime Minister is really a bonus for Northern Ireland.

"We are not any longer on the periphery, we are in the centre."

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond arrived shortly before the British and Irish premiers and said he was delighted to be paying his second visit to the province in a matter of weeks.

"I hope we can make progress across a range of interests in the interest of all our people. It is absolutely right that the Prime Minister participates in a full way in this summit," he said.

"It makes it all the more important and right that Gordon (Brown) is with us today."

Mr McGuinness said there should be a future "of the bagpipes linked up very sweetly with the sound of the fiddle and the bodhran".

He said elected leaders in the North had the support of the people in ending a history of division.

"People have talked about small steps within the process. May 8 represented a mighty leap forward."

Mr Brown added that the £51.5bn (€76.1bn) cash injection would boost innovation and investment in the North.

"It is to make possible the current expenditures of the Northern Ireland Assembly and to make possible a big programme of investment in the future," he said.

Tomorrow the North-South Ministerial Council meets in Armagh.

Members will build on co-operation over a new roads programme and reopening another section of the Ulster Canal linking Lough Erne with the Shannon.

The establishment of a North-South Parliamentary Forum is also planned.