Cowen & Murphy Talks in London
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has condemned what he called 'leaks and anonymous briefings' over the British agent within the IRA codenamed Stakeknife which, he says, could destabilise the North's political process.
He was speaking following talks with the Northern Secretary at Lancaster House in London.
Asked about the possibility of an inquiry being set up into the affair, Mr Cowen suggested that the forthcoming report into collusion by retired Canadian Judge, Peter Cory, could now 'provide the context' for a Stakeknife inquiry.
Earlier Brian Cowen reiterated the Government's determination to work with the British to overcome what he described as any 'disagreements and setbacks' in order to achieve a 'peaceful and prosperous' solution in the North.
This is the first high-level intergovernmental meeting since the Taoiseach and Tony Blair met at Farmleigh earlier this month.
As this afternoon's talks got underway at Lancaster House in London, Mr Cowen said the Farmleigh talks had produced 'a pro-active agenda' and that today was about putting a structure on that work.
The postponement of the Stormont elections was only a temporary halt to the peace process, according to the Northern Secretary this afternoon.
The two governments are anxious that there should be no political vacuum between now and the autumn when the elections are expected to go ahead.
Mr Cowen and the Northern Secretary Paul Murphy will be attempting to get as much political progress as possible over the next few months on areas outlined in their recently published joint declaration.
The other main business of the day is Irish concerns over allegations that British security services over many years in the North may have turned a blind eye to paramilitary killings in order to protect the identity of Stakeknife, the British agent inside the IRA.
The talks are taking place under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Conference set up by the Good Friday Agreement.
On the issue of the 'Stakeknife' controversy, the Stevens inquiry team is expected to interview the alleged agent.
