Vol. 528 No. 3
63 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of meetings he has held with his ministerial counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive; the topics that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30365/00]
While my Department has responsibility for oversight of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, and although I meet regularly with politicians from Northern Ireland, including members of the Executive, responsibility for Foreign Affairs has not been devolved to the Northern administration and I do not, therefore, have a ministerial counterpart on the Executive.
The Agreement provides for the North-South Ministerial Council to meet in institutional format to consider institutional or cross-sectoral matters, including in relation to the EU, and it is envisaged that I will represent the Irish Government at such meetings. At the NSMC's second plenary meeting in Dublin on 26 September, it was anticipated that the council will meet by agreement in institutional format before the next plenary.
64 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a foreign Government is informed of a visit of an Irish Minister in a personal, party political or official capacity; the protocols that govern foreign travel undertaken by Irish Ministers, including their behaviour in foreign states; if these apply to visits to Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30380/00]
When Irish Ministers travel abroad in an official capacity the appropriate authorities are informed of this by the Irish Embassy accredited to that country. Personal or party political visits are notified where appropriate. Visits to Great Britain and Northern Ireland are notified to the appropriate authorities. No particular protocols govern the foreign travel of Irish Ministers.
65 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the protocols that apply to visits by Ministers of the Northern Ireland Executive here; the circumstances under which his Department is informed of visits; the protocols that govern the behaviour of Ministers when here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30381/00]
Ministers from the Northern Executive regularly and frequently visit the South for a variety of purposes, including for meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council. While no particular protocols apply, my Department and the secretariat of the North-South Ministerial Council in Armagh are happy to provide assistance in making the necessary arrangements where appropriate.
Agreed rules of procedure apply to meetings of the NSMC and I have arranged for a copy of the memorandum of understanding on these to be placed in the Library.
