Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:18 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the issues for discussion for the meeting of the British-Irish Council on 18 October 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22337/00]
Written Answers. - British-Irish Council Summit.
The Second Summit of the British-Irish Council scheduled to take place in Dublin today has been postponed due to the tragic death of the First Minister of Scotland, Donald Dewar MP, MSP.
I would like to take this opportunity to again pay tribute to Mr. Dewar, a valued member of the British-Irish Council, who was widely respected for his considerable political skills, and for the wisdom with which he guided Scotland through the historic devolution process. Mr. Dewar and I had discussed the council during his visit here at the end of September. I know that all Deputies will join me in expressing our sympathies to his family, to his friends and colleagues, and to the people of Scotland.
Ireland is very much looking forward to hosting this important meeting and it will be re-scheduled to take place as soon as possible. The focus of the discussion at the next summit will be the issue of drugs, the area of work for which Ireland has taken the lead role within the British-Irish Council. Together with the other members of the council, we are looking forward to examining possible areas for future co-operation on this shared problem.
The summit will also review progress in other areas of the work of the council, as agreed at the first British-Irish Council Summit in London in December 1999.
Question No. 19 taken with Question No. 6.
Question No. 20 taken with Question No. 10.