HC Deb 21 November 2001 vol 375 cc341-2W
Mr. Lazarowicz

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many meetings of the British-Irish Council there have been since December 1999, broken down by meeting format; and what subjects were discussed at each meeting. [14525]

The Deputy Prime Minister

British-Irish Council meetings have taken placed on the following occasions:

  • 17 December 1999, British-Irish Council Summit. London
  • 2 October 2000, British-Irish Council ministerial meeting on the environment, London
  • 6 October 2000, officials meeting on drugs, Dublin
  • 16 November 2000, officials meeting on social inclusion, London
  • 16 November 2000, officials meeting on the knowledge economy
  • 4 December 2000, officials meeting on transport, Belfast
  • 19 December 2000, British-Irish Council ministerial meeting on transport. Belfast
  • 23 January 2001, officials meeting on the environment (climate change), London
  • 28–29 March 2001, officials meeting on the environment (climate change), Oxford
  • 29 March 2001, officials meeting on the knowledge economy, Jersey
  • 13 September, officials meeting on drugs, Dublin.

Ministerial meetings

The inaugural summit adopted an initial list of issues which would be suitable for the council to work together. These were provided on 12 January 2000, Official Report, columns 200–01W.

The meeting of Environment Ministers on 2 October 2000 discussed ways in which the administrations could work together on environmental issues. The council considered the conclusions of the OSPAR Regional Quality Status Report on the Celtic Seas and reviewed the arrangements already in place for inter-governmental action to follow up those conclusions.

The meeting of Transport Ministers on 19 December 2000 had a wide-ranging discussion covering various aspects of transport. The council identified a list of transport issues where members of the council could share their knowledge and experience, including public-private partnerships, the size and pattern of future transport demand, the development of sustainable transport policies, and programmes to improve road and rail safety. The on-going review of the implementation of the Transport Trans European Network was also identified as an area where they could work together. They also considered practical measures which could be taken to increase co-operation in relation to the road transport industry.

Officials' meetings

The officials' meetings dealt with the substantive business in relevant sectoral areas for forthcoming ministerial meetings including drafting papers and pursuing individual work topics. In addition senior officials form all of the Administrations have met from time to time to discuss British-Irish Council progress and procedures.