HL Deb 18 November 2003 vol 654 c275WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Under the arrangements for the North/South Ministerial Council, whether the departments of the Government of Eire are given equal status to the government departments in Northern Ireland; and, if so, whether it is possible for the Government of Eire to insist on agreement from the Northern Ireland departments for any decision. [HL5210]

Baroness Amos

All decisions under the Exchange of Notes of 19 November 2002 are required to be made by agreement between the British and Irish Governments. It is therefore not possible for either the British or Irish Governments to insist on the agreement of the other.