Chief Minister to attend British Irish Council summit

11 January 2012

In his first official overseas engagement as Jersey’s Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst will attend the 17th summit meeting of the British Irish Council (BIC) in Dublin on Friday 13 January 2012.

Assistant Chief Minister, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, will accompany Senator Gorst to the summit, where they will be joined by Britain’s leading politicians, including UK Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP.

The main discussion topics will be the economic challenges of youth unemployment and the misuse of drugs. Senator Gorst said “It will be valuable to compare the strategies of the different assemblies in addressing these issues, which are common to us all. Together with Senator Bailhache, I will be making the most of this opportunity to share expertise and experience with our colleagues from the British Irish Council. I look forward to developing our existing relationships in this important forum.

"The Council of Ministers is committed to tackling the rise in unemployment in Jersey, particularly among the younger workforce, and I will be discussing this issue with my counterparts at the BIC summit who are facing similar problems in their own economies.

"Global economic recovery will be protracted but we will continue to develop measures that will get Islanders back into work as quickly as possible."