We are pleased to report that 2008 was a year of further consolidation for the North South Ministerial Council. On 7 February 2008 there was a successful NSMC Plenary meeting at the Dundalk Institute of Technology at which Ministers discussed the work of the Council. Among the practical issues progressed at the meeting was Child Protection, where Ministers agreed to take forward work designed to enhance collaboration and co-operation on this sensitive and important issue.