HC Deb 28 November 1985 vol 87 cc640-1W
Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings have taken place under the auspices of the Anglo-Irish Ministerial Council during the current year at which matters which are the responsibility of Northern Ireland Government Departments were discussed; what matters were thus discussed; and what conclusions were reached.

Mr. Tom King

Four meetings of Ministers have taken place this year, under the auspices of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Council, to discuss matters which are the responsibility of Northern Ireland Departments. They are:

15 March 1985: Belfast Lord Lyell, Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office, and Republic of Ireland Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Deasy).

26 March 1985: Dublin Mr. Nicholas Scott, Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office, and Republic of Ireland Minister for Education (Mrs. Hussey).

7 August 1985: Mr. Christopher Patten, Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office, and Republic of Ireland Minister for Health and Social Affairs (Mr. Desmond).

11 September 1985: Lord Lyell, Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office, and Republic of Ireland Minister for Fisheries and Forestry (Mr. O'Toole).

Matters of mutual concern were discussed at each meeting.