§ Lord Harris of Haringeyasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the British-Irish Council will be established. [HL1531]
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonThe British-Irish Council (BIC) will be established immediately on entry into force of the Good Friday Agreement reached at Belfast on 10 April 1998. Membership of the BIC will comprise representatives of the British and Irish Governments, of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. Its secretariat will be provided by the British and Irish Governments in co-ordination with officials of each of the other members. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister has asked the Minister for the Cabinet Office to take responsibility within the British Government for matters relating to the BIC, including the necessary preparatory work.