Skip to main content
Normal View

British-Irish Council

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Questions (126, 128)

Micheál Martin

Question:

126. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the British-Irish Council meeting held in the Isle of Man on 9 November 2018. [47804/18]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

128. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the British Irish Council meeting. [47665/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 128 together.

I attended the 31st British Irish Council (BIC) Summit in the Isle of Man on Friday 9 November, hosted by Chief Minister Howard Quale. I was accompanied by the Minister for Natural Resources, Community Affairs and Digital Development, Sean Canney TD.

The discussion at the summit covered key political developments for Administrations since the last summit in June. 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 for the Council’s Digital Inclusion work sector.

Minister of State Canney took part in a thematic discussion on the subject of Digital Inclusion. Topics covered included digital rights, digital skills & literacy and partnership working between the BIC Administrations.

David Lidington MP, Cabinet Office Minister, and Karen Bradley MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, attended the summit meeting for the UK Government, 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 wished First Minister Jones well on the occasion of his last BIC Summit as he steps down as leader of the Welsh Labour Party and First Minister on 11 December.

I also held brief discussions with David Lidington 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.

Top
Share