The Minister of Commerce in the Northern Ireland
government, Brian Faulkner, met up with his opposite number from the Irish
government for this meeting in early 1966. Patrick Hillery would go on to
become President of Ireland but at this stage he had just recently been
appointed as Minister for Industry and Commerce. Following what looks like very
cordial talks over lunch, Hillery was then interviewed by UTV and he stressed the
benefits of trade between north and south not just being immediate between each
other, but also in attracting trade from outside the island which would benefit
everyone.