Published Saturday, 16 October 2010
Ministers are hopeful next year's National Famine Commemoration Day will be held in the north after talks.
More than 1.5 million people died or emigrated from Ireland during the failure of the potato crop in the 1840s.
Stormont Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew and Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said the famine was an important part of the country's history and should be properly remembered.
They met with Pat Carey, the Republic's minister of community, equality and Gaeltacht affairs, to discuss the importance of an all-island commemoration.
Ms Ruane said the famine had a huge impact, not just on Ireland, but many other countries as people left to seek a better life abroad.
"Our influence spread right across the world and it is important the significance of the famine is appropriately commemorated," she added.
Mr Carey is chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, which held its first memorial service in Cork in 2009. Victims were honoured in Murrisk, Co Mayo, last year.
His spokeswoman confirmed discussions had been held with Stormont ministers on a range of issues, including proposals for an all-island event.
Ms Gildernew said the famine has had repercussions for all rural communities.
"I am glad to have the opportunity to discuss how this important historical event can be appropriately marked and remembered across the whole region," she added.