The North-South Ministerial Council met in Dublin today for the first time since recent elections.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness attended the meeting at Farmleigh.
Before the meeting Mr Kenny said the Government was committed to actively working and supporting all of the institutions of the Belfast Agreement and to building on the enormous progress of recent years.
"We believe that there are many practical and innovative ways in which North/South co-operation can help to aid economic recovery and to bring about better value for money and improved public services for everyone on the island of Ireland," he said.
"I am looking forward to a wide-ranging discussion and to building a positive and constructive relationship between our two newly-elected administrations."