Question reference: S6W-24088
- Date lodged: 19 December 2023
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Current status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 20 December 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Dublin.
Answer
On 24 November 2023, the First Minister represented the Scottish Government at the Summit meeting of the British-Irish Council hosted by the Government of Ireland and chaired by the Taoiseach – Leo Varadkar. The meeting was attended by Ministers from six of the eight BIC Member Administrations with Northern Ireland represented by senior officials.
The theme of the Summit focussed on Transforming Children’s Lives: Tackling Child Poverty and Improving Wellbeing. This discussion offered the opportunity to understand the challenges being faced by all of the Governments across these islands and to share and learn from the range of initiatives being taken to tackle the issue.
On the Latest Political Developments item, Ministers took the opportunity to recognise the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement and to reflect on the importance of BIC as one of the institutions established under that agreement.
The Council discussed political developments in Northern Ireland and highlighted the importance of the restoration of enduring devolved power-sharing institutions as soon as possible. It also reflected on the situation in Israel and Gaza, the conflict in Ukraine, the Cost of Living Crisis and the forthcoming COP 28.
In the margins of the summit, the First Minister took the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with the Taoiseach, the First Minister of Wales and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
The Communiqué issued by the British-Irish Council after the meeting can be found on its website at: britishirishcouncil.org.