§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the establishment of the British-Irish Council, its composition, and the consultations held with the executives and presiding officers of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly prior to its establishment. [128622]
§ Marjorie MowlamThe inaugural summit meeting of the British-Irish Council was held at Lancaster House, London, on Friday 17 December 1999. The next meeting is expected in the autumn of this year.
As envisaged in the Belfast Agreement, the British-Irish Council comprises representatives of the British and Irish Governments, the devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, together with representatives of the Isle of Man, and the Baliwicks of Jersey and Guernsey.