18 February 2008
Following a suggestion from Chief Minister, Senator Frank Walker, the structure of future summit meetings of the British-Irish Council (BIC) is to be revised to allow more time for wide-ranging general discussion.
Commenting on the move, Senator Walker said: “The BIC is an invaluable opportunity for us to consult and exchange information at the highest levels of government. Operating on an equal footing, Jersey can influence the discussions, while also learning from the experience of others. Taking up a suggestion I made at the meeting, future BIC Summits are going to be constructed differently to allow more time for general discussion without reference to a fixed agenda. Allowing greater opportunities to exchange views and share best practice will add even more value to the meetings.”
The summit, held in Dublin last week, was the tenth since the BIC was formed in 1998. A prime focus of the discussions was the impact of drug use on families. The Health and Social Services Minister, Senator Ben Shenton, highlighted the work Jersey is doing in this area. Recognising that misuse of drugs can have a devastating effect on the family, the delegations discussed the importance of supporting families to overcome the problems they face and the role families can play in the rehabilitation process.
Other items discussed at the meeting included energy, the environment, transport, early years education, social inclusion, tourism, and demography where all members are facing similar long-term issues.
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Notes to Editors:
1. For further information, please contact Senator Frank Walker, Chief Minister, on 440401
2. The British-Irish Council Summit was hosted by the Irish Prime Minister/Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD. The British government delegation was led by the Rt Hon Paul Murphy MP, the Secretary of State for Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government was represented by the First Minister, the Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan AM and the Scottish Government by the First Minister, the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MP MSP. The Northern Ireland Executive was represented by the First Minister, the Rt Hon, Dr Ian Paisley MP MLA and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA. Guernsey was represented by the Chief Minister, Deputy Mike Torode, and the Isle of Man by the Chief Minister, Tony Brown MHK.
3. The Summit communiqué is available at
www.british-irishcouncil.org/ (Please click on ‘documents’)
4. The next BIC Summit will be held in September 2008 and will be hosted by Scotland.
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