The economic and social circumstances of several loyalist areas in Northern Ireland are clearly "a matter of concern", Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday (Wednesday).
Mr Ahern was speaking after talks in Dublin with members of the Loyalist Commission. The meeting was also attended by the Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop of Armagh Dr Robin Eames.
The Joint Declaration recognised the need for a strong commitment to deprived communities which had a history of social need, Mr Ahern said.
"In this context the economic and social circumstances of a number of loyalist areas are clearly a matter of concern," he said.
"Through the Reconciliation Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs and other measures, there is renewed focus on supporting community development in these (areas), as well as deprived nationalist areas.
"I have made it clear that this is something that deserves support and requires more attention," the Taoiseach added.
Mr Ahern emphasised that the Good Friday Agreement represented a threat to no-one.
"We are determined to develop our relations with loyalism and unionism," Mr Ahern said.
The Taoiseach said that despite the current difficulties there was still a real opportunity to build a peaceful society in Northern Ireland.
Loyalists and republicans had a particular role to play in assuring calm during the marching season, he said.
"I welcome and encourage on-going efforts to ease tensions at interface areas," Mr Ahern said.
Both the Irish and British governments had made it clear that all paramilitary activities had to stop, he said.
This was Mr Ahern's first meeting with the commission.
The discussions were arranged at the behest of Archbishop Eames after a request from clergy on the commission.
Recently there were differences of opinion within unionism as to whether Protestant clergy and unionist politicians should continue to engage with the commission after the UDA murder of Alan McCullough.
The 21-year-old's body was discovered in a shallow grave on land near the Aughnabrack Road in Mallusk last Thursday.
