19 Feabh 2021, 13:29
The British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) will convene virtually in Leinster House on Monday 22 February, for its 60th Plenary.
An Taoiseach, Mr. Micheál Martin, TD will give the opening address at the plenary, from the Dáil Chamber at 10.30am. The theme of this plenary is 2021: Challenges and Changes.
Additional guest speakers on the day include:
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for European Neighbourhood and the Americas Wendy Morton MP
- Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Adrian O’Neill
- Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ireland, His Excellency Paul Johnston
- Political historian, Dr. Eamon Phoenix
- Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive Officer Julie Sinnamon and;
- Dawn Farm Foods, Chief Executive Officer Larry Murrin
Speaking before the event, BIPA Irish Co-Chair Deputy Brendan Smith TD said: “The 60th plenary is taking place in the midst of a global pandemic and less than two months after the end of the Brexit transition period.
“Against this backdrop, the work of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, in building and deepening bonds between our nations, is more important than ever. It’s very fitting that the plenary is taking place virtually, as we discuss the challenges and changes faced by citizens in 2021. We are delighted to welcome An Taoiseach and all of our speakers to the event. The impact of the changed environment on citizens, trade, economic growth and global markets are among the topics we will discuss throughout the day.”
British Co-Chair Andrew Rosindell MP said: “I’m delighted that the Taoiseach will be speaking at the plenary and am looking forward to meeting colleagues at the 60th BIPA plenary on Monday.
“With the UK now forging its own trade policy following Brexit and during a global pandemic BIPA’s role discussing issues of mutual concern and strengthening friendships between the UK, crown dependencies and Ireland has rarely been more important. Building on relations with our closest neighbours and understanding each other’s perspectives is critical to the health of this community of nations.”
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.
Note to editors:
Accreditation. Media can join the event remotely via a Microsoft Teams link, either using the app or through an internet browser. Recording of the event on Teams is not permitted. Cameras must remain off and microphones muted.
Journalists seeking accreditation to join the event by Teams are asked to register interest by emailing Petrina Vousden at pressoffice@oireachtas.ie by 6pm today, Friday, 19 February. BIPA will require an email address for the Teams invite and contact phone number. The 60th Plenary of the British Irish Assembly will NOT be live streamed.
A limited number of seats are available in the Dáil press gallery on the day. For information contact gavan.reilly@oireachtas.ie
Follow us on Twitter for updates: @BritishIrishPA
Further information contact:
Dublin: Petrina Vousden (+353) (0) 85 8745 295 petrina.vousden@oireachtas.ie
London: Tim West: +44 (0)7933 386 949 westtb@parliament.uk
PROGRAMME:
BRITISH-IRISH PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY 60th PLENARY SESSION (Monday, 22 February)
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME OF BUSINESS
Session 1: Introduction and opening address (10.15am to 10.30am)
• Introduction by Co-Chairs
• Adoption of proposed programme.
OPENING ADDRESS: (10:30am to 10.50am)
An Taoiseach, Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D.
Session 2: Committees (10.50am to 11.05am)
Committees progress reports and updates.
11.05am to 11.30am sanitization break (latest time for sanitisation break is 12 noon)
Session 3: Impact of a changed environment (11.30am to 12.45pm)
His Excellency Adrian O’Neill, Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom, will address the
Assembly
His Excellency Paul Johnston, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ireland, will address the Assembly
Questions and Answers
LUNCH BREAK (1pm to 2pm)
Session 4: Minister of the UK Government (2.00pm to 2.10pm)
Wendy Morton MP, Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Session 5: Commemorations – A decade of centenaries (2.10pm to 3.20pm)
Dr. Eamon Phoenix: The Partition of Ireland and the Creation of Northern Ireland, 1900-22
Questions and Answers
3.20pm to 3.40pm sanitization break (latest time for sanitization break is 4pm)
Session 6: Trade, economic growth and global markets in 2021 (3.40pm to 4.40pm)
Enterprise Ireland (3.40 to 4.00pm)
Julie Sinnamon, Chief Executive Officer
Dawns Farms, Chief Executive Officer Larry Murrin
Questions & Answers (4.20pm to 4.40pm)
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.
View more about BIPA including its membership.