28 Nov 2016, 17:17
The 53rd plenary meeting of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly opened in Cardiff today.
28th November 2016
First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, opened proceedings on Monday morning and invited BIPA members to work together promote a tolerant and inclusive approach to relations in the wake of the UK decision to leave the EU.
Throughout the first day of the plenary, access to the Single Market was a recurring issue of debate and discussion amongst members. The Assembly debated a motion on Brexit and reiterated their desire that the many positive achievements in British-Irish relations be safeguarded, whatever the future relation may be between the UK and the EU.
Irish Co-Chair, Kathleen Funchion TD, said, “As we deal with the Brexit referendum, pragmatism and cooperation will be key if we are to ensure the best interests of BIPA’s parliaments, regional assemblies, and devolved institutions. At the opening day of the 53rd plenary, BIPA members spoke passionately of the desire to make Brexit as successful as possible for all of the peoples we represent. In the years to come, people will look back at this tumultuous period and the decisions taken by public representatives. BIPA today stated its commitment to protecting the Common Travel Area and building on the good relations we have built as an assembly in spite of the challenges we face.”
Acting British Co-chair Andrew Rosindell MP added, “On the first day of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, we had healthy discussions reflecting the broad range of views in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies as we look to develop the relationship between the UK and Ireland during the Brexit process. It is reassuring that there was an overwhelming commitment to work together to create stronger bonds in the years ahead. I would like to thank Carwyn Jones for welcoming us today, and our other speakers James Brokenshire, Robin Walker, Dan Mulhall and Lord Whitty for giving an indication of their work ahead.”
Today’s session also featured addresses to the Assembly by James Brokenshire, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; Robin Walker, Minister in the Department for Exiting the European Union; Dan Mulhall, the Irish Ambassador to the UK, and Lord Whitty, chair of the House of Lords EU Internal Trade Sub-Committee.
The Assembly will reconvene tomorrow, Tuesday at 9:30am.
Follow the BIPA twitter channel for live updates: @BritishIrishPA
BIPA is formed of members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, Houses of Parliament, Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales, Northern Ireland Assembly, High Court of Tynwald (Isle of Man) and the States of Guernsey and Jersey. It meets twice a year to promote co-operation between political representatives in Britain and Ireland and build on the close relationships established in recent years.
/ENDS
Notes to eds:
The 53rd Plenary of the British Irish Assembly will take place at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff on Monday 28 November and Tuesday 29 November.
About the Assembly
The Assembly's mission is to promote co-operation between political representatives in Britain and Ireland for the benefit of the people they represent. BIPA’s membership includes representatives from the UK Parliament, the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Welsh Assembly, the High Court of Tynwald (Isle of Man) and the States of Guernsey and Jersey.
Media enquiries and accreditation requests to: ?
Dublin: Nuala Walsh (+353) 86 410 0898?/ nuala.walsh@oireachtas.ie
London: George Perry: + 0044 783 417 2099 perryg@parliament.uk
Programme of events:
53rd Plenary Session
Marriott Hotel, Cardiff
28-29 November
Monday 28 November
At 9.30 am: meeting in public session
Brief introductory comments by co-chairs
2. Adoption of proposed programme of business
3. Welcome to Cardiff and address by the First Minister of Wales
Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM will address the Assembly and respond to questions.
At about 10.15 am
4. Address by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, department for exiting the European Union.
Robin Walker MP will address the Assembly and respond to questions.
At about 11.00 am
5. Implications of Brexit for British-Irish relations
There will follow a political debate on a motion to be moved on behalf of the Steering Committee (to be resumed in the afternoon session)
At about 12.00 noon
6. Address by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP will address the Assembly and respond to questions.
At 2.30 pm
7. Implications of Brexit for British-Irish relations
Continuation of debate, to include contributions by visiting speakers:
• His Excellency Dan Mulhall, Ambassador of Ireland
• Rt Hon Lord Whitty, Chair of the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee
The session will conclude not later than 5.00 pm.
Tuesday 29 November
At 9.30 am: Meeting in public session
8. Youth engagement and the assembly – the story so far
Ann Jones AM, Deputy Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales, and officials will outline how the Assembly’s approach to engaging children and young people in the Assembly’s work has evolved over recent years and its plans for the future.
At 10.30 am:
9. Health service funding and governance in the BIPA jurisdictions
Dr Brian Turner, University College Cork, and Tim Gardner, Senior Policy Fellow, The Health Foundation, will address the Assembly and respond to questions.
10. Committee reports, etc
Progress report from Committee A (Sovereign Matters)
Mr Joe Carey TD
Progress report from Committee B (European Affairs)
Mr Andrew Rosindell MP
Progress report from Committee C (Economic)
Senator Denis Landy
Progress report from Committee d (Environment & Social)
Lord Dubs
Government responses to committee reports
ADJOURNMENT