'Useful' north-south meeting held

The NI leaders met with Brian Cowen

The first and deputy first ministers have met Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowan and his cabinet ministers in a north-south council meeting in Dublin.

The politicians discussed the economic downturn, swine flu and new road projects.

First Minister Peter Robinson said the meeting had gone well.

"It has been a useful meeting, we've had discussions on a range of issues, he said.

"There are a number of matters that we continue to make progress on and we'll continue to look at as we move forward to our next session.

"But it has been a positive meeting, the atmosphere has been, as always, cordial."