Cowen wishes Robinson well

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said he wishes Peter Robinson and his family well in dealing with their difficult personal issues.

Cowen's comments come as the North's First Minister steps aside for up to six weeks to try to clear his name.

He's accused of failing to disclose loans his wife Iris secured for her toyboy lover's business venture.

Cowen urged leaders in Stormont to work on stabilising the institutions.

“Northern Ireland, like all other parts of these islands, faces serious economic and social challenges,” Mr Cowen said.

“These are the issues that matter to ordinary people and that need to be tackled by stable, democratic institutions.”

Mr Cowen extended his best wishes to Mr Robinson and his family.

But he added: “I believe it is now essential that there is swift progress, in the coming days, on the devolution of policing and justice.

“That is in the interests of all of the parties and all of the people they represent.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin is to meet Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward in Dublin tomorrow evening.

The Taoiseach also paid tribute to Pc Peadar Heffron, who was left fighting for his life after being injured in a dissident republican car bomb attack last week.

Mr Cowen said he was the victim of a dreadful crime.

“Constable Heffron is an Irishman, a lover of our language and of our national games, who has been working to help bring about a better future for his country,” Mr Cowen said.