61st British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly Plenary Session

UK and Irish Parliaments to meet to strengthen bi-lateral ties

WATCH LIVE on YouTube ∙ Morning Session from 9.30am ∙ Afternoon Session from 1.45pm

No physical public access to Plenary room.

UK Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis and Ireland’s European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne will give keynote addresses as politicians from the UK legislatures, British dependencies and the Oireachtas assemble to strengthen the bilateral partnership. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and the UK’s European Neighbourhood Minister Wendy Morton will also be among those addressing the assembly on Monday.

Established in 1990 and expanded in 2001 to include Members of the Senedd (then the Welsh Assembly), Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly, BIPA provides a forum for discussion of issues affecting relations and a means to improve mutual understanding. The body meets twice a year, alternating venues between the UK and Ireland.

BIPA Committees also conduct regular research and publish reports at plenary events on areas of mutual interest. Last month, its European Affairs Committee launched an inquiry into each country’s respective vaccine rollouts.

Speaking ahead of the plenary, British Co-Chair Andrew Rosindell said “I’m delighted to welcome my counterparts and colleagues from across Britain, the Crown Dependencies and Ireland to Westminster for our first face-to-face meeting in two years.

With COVID now hopefully in the rearview mirror, it’s time to turn our attention to the many other issues that face our country, including strengthening our relationships with international partners. There is no partner more important to Britain than Ireland and I’m proud to play a role in helping to strengthen our historic ties.”

Irish Co-Chair Brendan Smith TD commented, “The Irish members of BIPA look forward to and welcome the opportunity to meet with our closest neighbours, counterparts and parliamentary colleagues for discussion and debate.

Welcoming the chance to have an in-person meeting, my colleagues and I look forward to discussing the very important topics on the programme agenda and we hope that the 61st Plenary will afford us the chance to engage in this valuable forum discussing matters of mutual interest and concern.”

Expected Keynote Speaker Timings

09.35 am: Address by Wendy Morton MP, Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas, UK Government

10.15 am: Address by Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for European Affairs, Government of Ireland

11.00 am: Address by Rt Hon. Brandon Lewis, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, UK Government

11.50 am: Address by Sir Kier Starmer MP, Leader of Her Majesty’s Official Opposition.

Follow us on Twitter for updates: @BritishIrishPA and for more information visit the BIPA website.