HC Deb 25 November 1999 vol 339 c200W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the constitution of the Council of the Isles. [98789]

Marjorie Mowlam

Following devolution to Northern Ireland, the British-Irish Council will be established by the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Ireland done at Dublin on 8 March 1999 (Ireland No. 5 (1999) cm 4296). The Agreement states that the Council shall be constituted and shall operate in accordance with the provisions of the Multi-Party Agreement reached at Belfast on 10 April 1998 (Ireland No. 1 (1999) cm 4292).