§ 20. Mr. LlwydTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Office when the British-Irish Council last met; and what was on the agenda for that meeting. [9304]
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterThe British-Irish Council meets in different formats. Since the first summit meeting held in London in December 1999, a number of meetings have taken place in different sectoral areas at ministerial and official level.
The most recent meeting of the Council took place in Dublin on 13 September last. Officials discussed the issue of misuse of drugs, the area of work for which Ireland is the lead Administration within the Council.
The Irish Government will host the next British-Irish Council summit. The drugs issue will be the main item for discussion at the Summit. Progress in the other areas of work of the Council will also be reviewed. The Government also look forward to further meetings taking place in the agreed areas of work.