Taoiseach receives a copy of the 2009 research journal

From left to right, are: Annmarie O’Kane, Dr Patricia Clarke, Dr Gibson, Joe Shiels, the Taoiseach, Mairead Hughes, Dr Travers, John Driscoll (Director, International Centre for Local and Regional Development), Patricia McAllister, Andy Pollak (Director, Centre for Cross Border Studies), and Eimear Donnelly.

The Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen TD, received a copy of the 2009 edition of The Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland in Government Buildings in Dublin today. The Journal was presented to him by the Chairman of the Centre for Cross Border Studies, Dr Chris Gibson, and the Vice-Chairman, Dr Pauric Travers. In the photo, from left to right, are: Annmarie O’Kane, Dr Patricia Clarke, Dr Gibson, Joe Shiels, the Taoiseach, Mairead Hughes, Dr Travers, John Driscoll (Director, International Centre for Local and Regional Development), Patricia McAllister, Andy Pollak (Director, Centre for Cross Border Studies), and Eimear Donnelly.

The Taoiseach said after the photo call:

“The Centre for Cross Border Studies is an important catalyst for bringing people to work together across a range of social and economic issues and thus find out what they have in common. The tragedy of the recent past on this island is that we turned our backs on each other and did everything separately. The value the Centre adds is to show how much more we can achieve by working together. The whole reconciliation project on the island of Ireland is about people learning that they have so many interests in common. The Centre’s research and development work is key to building that kind of practical, mutually beneficial cooperation and collaboration.”

The Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland will be formally launched by the Head of the
Northern Ireland Civil Service, Mr Bruce Robinson, in Belfast on 25th March 2009.