Neale Richmond
Question:668. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is planned for the British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference to meet next; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33383/20]
View answerTuesday, 3 November 2020
Questions (668)
Written answers
The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement, bringing together the Irish and British Governments under Strand Three of the Agreement on matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments.
The continuing importance we place on this institution was also reflected in the Programme for Government. We believe it would be important for the next meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference to take place at an early stage, as current circumstances allow, and are engaging with the UK Government through the secretariat of the BIIGC with a view to setting a date before the end of the year.
The Government has of course been continuing to engage bilaterally with the British Government on a range of key issues, including crucially in support of the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland. Since the restoration of the Assembly and Executive, I have been in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis, on a range of matters including COVID 19 cooperation, the implementation of the New Decade New Approach agreement, Brexit and issues pertaining to the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Regular contact and cooperation between our two Governments is also ongoing at official level. It is vital that we continue to work closely on a North/South and East-West basis in support of the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and successor agreements, and the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference is an important dimension of that work.