British-Irish Council

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 June 2018

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

Questions (77, 78, 80, 81)

Micheál Martin

Question:

77. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the British-Irish Council meeting on 22 June 2018. [28273/18]

Micheál Martin

Question:

78. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he had a bilateral meeting with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon while attending the British-Irish Council meeting; and if so, the issues that were discussed. [28274/18]

Brendan Smith

Question:

80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the issues discussed at the recent British-Irish Council; and the outcome of such discussions. [28328/18]

Brendan Smith

Question:

81. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he discussed with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the recent British-Irish Council meeting the need to have the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly restored. [28329/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 78, 80 and 81 together.

I attended the 30th British Irish Council (BIC) Summit in Guernsey on Friday 22 June, hosted by Chief Minister Gavin St. Pier. I was accompanied by Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy TD.

The discussion at the summit covered key political developments for Administrations since the last summit in November. The discussion focused largely on the implications of Brexit, particularly for relationships across the islands. The Council also discussed the current political situation in Northern Ireland and I reiterated my regret that Northern Ireland, until the Executive is restored, remains without political representation in this important forum.

The Council also endorsed plans for a future programme of work proposed by the Environment Ministers and agreed to a new area of work on social enterprises.

Minister Murphy took part in a thematic discussion on the issues that collectively impact the marine environment of these islands.

David Lidington MP, Cabinet Office Minister, and Karen Bradley MP, SOSNI, attended the summit meeting along with Heads of Administration from Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands. I took the opportunity to have bilateral discussions with First Minister Carwyn Jones and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon; in both meetings we exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and continued co-operation with discussions focusing mainly on Brexit and its impacts on business and citizens and on developments in Westminster and Brussels.

I also held brief discussions with David Lidington and Karen Bradley on Brexit and on the absence of an agreement between the parties on re-establishing the Northern Ireland Executive. I underlined the importance of the restoration of the institutions in the context of full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, and undertook to continue to work with the British government to support the northern parties to achieve this outcome.