Ulster Unionist Leader Tom Elliott has led a Party delegation to meet with the Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore.
Following the meeting, Mr Elliott said;
“We took the opportunity to discuss a range of issues with Eamon Gilmore, including the funding of Protestant schools in the Republic, the Republic’s economic situation, proposals to examine the role and functions of north/south bodies and issues relating to forthcoming commemorations.
With the Centenary of the Ulster Covenant due next year, we were heartened that Mr Gilmore was keen to facilitate the marking of this event in Dublin, which was after all the city of Edward Carson’s birth and the place where he practised law.
The Ulster Unionist party looks forward to continuing to engage with politicians in Dublin on matters of mutual interest and benefit to both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
"We put forward the concerns that have been expressed to ourselves in relation to the difficult funding position for the small number of Protestant Schools within the jurisdiction. Mr Gilmore gave an indication that his government were attempting to deal with this in a positive manner.”