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British–Irish Council

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British–Irish Council
Comhairle na Breataine–na hÉireann
AbbreviationBIC
Formation2 December 1999; 25 years ago (1999-12-02)
TypeIntergovernmental organisation
HeadquartersEdinburgh, Scotland (secretariat)
Coordinates55°56′45″N 3°13′21″W / 55.94584°N 3.22262°W / 55.94584; -3.22262
Region served
British Isles
Membership
WebsiteOfficial website
Good Friday Agreement
Strand 1
Strand 2
Strand 3
Additional bodies

The British–Irish Council (BIC; Irish: Comhairle na Breataine–na hÉireann) is an intergovernmental organisation that aims to improve collaboration between its members in a number of areas including transport, the environment and energy.[1] Its membership comprises Ireland, the United Kingdom, the devolved governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, in addition to the governments of the British Crown Dependencies: Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. As England does not have a devolved administration, it is not individually represented on the council but only as a member of the United Kingdom.[2]

The British and Irish governments, and political parties in Northern Ireland, agreed to form a council under the British–Irish Agreement, part of the Good Friday Agreement reached in 1998. The council was formally established on 2 December 1999, when the Agreement came into effect. The council's stated aim is to "promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands". The BIC has a standing secretariat, located in Edinburgh, Scotland; it meets in semi-annual summits and more frequent ministerial meetings.[3]

Background

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The British–Irish Council was established on 10 April 1998 following two years worth of negotiations between the UK and Irish Governments alongside the political parties in Northern Ireland on the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, a political organisation was to be established in order to foster and provide opportunities to greater integral working between both the UK and Irish governments, and later the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Multi-Party agreement between both the UK and Irish governments formally came into effect on 2 December 1999.[4]

Since its formation, the heads of governments of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey have met biannually during the Heads of Administrations summit. The first meeting of the British–Irish council took place on 17 December 1999. The first meeting was hosted by the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Tony Blair in London.[5]

In 2006, the St. Andrews Agreement was signed in order to establish a standing permanent Secretariat to the British–Irish Council. The establishment of the position was designed to "further the British-Irish Council work". The Permanent Secretariat was established six years later, located in the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh following an agreement between council members at the summit in 2010 hosted by Guernsey that the Scottish Government would be the Permanent Secretariat host. The Secretariat was formally established in January 2012.[5]

In 2023, the summits held in Jersey and the Republic of Ireland marked twenty-five years since the Good Friday Agreement,[5] whilst the 42nd summit hosted by Scotland in December 2024 marked twenty-five years since the inaugural meeting of the council.[6]

Overview and structure

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A British-Irish Council summit hosted by Scotland at Stirling Castle

The nine heads of government meet at summits twice per year. Additionally, there are regular meetings that deal with specific sectors which are attended by the corresponding ministers. Representatives of members operate in accordance with whatever procedures for democratic authority and accountability are in force in their respective elected legislatures.

England, unlike the other countries of the United Kingdom, is not represented separately, as it does not have its own devolved administration. It is thus solely represented on the council as part of the United Kingdom. Although Cornwall technically holds observer status on the Council due to its language, it is also represented by the UK government.[7][8]

The work of the council is financed by members through mutual agreement as required.[9] At the ninth meeting of the Council in July 2007 it was decided that with devolved government returned to Northern Ireland that an opportune time existed "to undertake a strategic review of the Council's work programmes, working methods and support arrangements." This decision included the potential for a permanent standing secretariat, which was established in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 4 January 2012.

At its June 2010 summit, the Council decided to move forward on recommendations to enhance the relationship between it and the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA). The British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly is made up of members from the parliaments and assemblies of the same states and regions as the members of the British–Irish Council. The Council tasked its secretariat with moving this work forward in conjunction with the BIPA's secretariat.

Work areas

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Heads of government gather at the 16th summit held in London, June 2011

The Council agrees to specific work areas for which individual members take responsibility. The Belfast Agreement suggested transport links, agriculture, environmental issues, culture, health, education and approaches to the European Union as suitable topics for early discussion. However, these work areas can be expanded or reduced as the Council decides. It is also open to the council to make agreement on common policies. These agreements are made through consensus, although individual members may opt not to participate in implementing any of these.

The current list of work areas and the member responsible are:

  • Collaborative spatial planning (Northern Ireland)
  • Demography (Scotland)[10]
  • Digital inclusion (Isle of Man)
  • Early years policy (Wales)
  • Energy (United Kingdom – Electricity Grids, and Scotland – Marine)
  • Environment (United Kingdom)
  • Housing (Northern Ireland)
  • Indigenous, minority and lesser-used languages (Wales)
  • Misuse of Substances (drugs and alcohol) (Ireland)
  • Social inclusion (Scotland and Wales)[10]
  • Transport (Northern Ireland)
  • Creative Industries (Jersey)

Demography was adopted as a work area at the 2006 meeting of the council. It was proposed by the Scottish Executive, who also took responsibility for it. During the 2007 meeting of the council the Scottish Government further proposed that energy become a work area of the council. Past work sector areas included knowledge economy, e-health / telemedicine and tourism.

Membership and operation

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Members and advisors

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Member name Symbols Parliament Membership Membership status Represented since
Arms Flag
United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom Parliament of the United Kingdom full sovereign state 1999
Ireland Ireland Republic of Ireland Oireachtas
Scotland Scotland Scotland Scottish Parliament devolved government
Wales Wales Wales Senedd
Northern Ireland - - Northern Ireland Assembly
Jersey Jersey Jersey States Assembly crown dependency
Isle of Man Isle of Man Isle of Man Tynwald
Guernsey Guernsey Guernsey States of Guernsey
Advisor name Symbols Body Advisor Advisor status Represented since
Arms Flag
Cornwall Cornwall Cornwall Council Advisor on Cornish language English unitary authority 2023[11]

Current leaders

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Membership of the Council consists of the following administrations (with current heads of administrations as of December 2024):

Member Representative(s) Title
United Kingdom Keir Starmer MP Prime Minister
Ireland Simon Harris TD Taoiseach
Scotland John Swinney MSP First Minister
Wales Eluned Morgan MS First Minister
Northern Ireland[a] Michelle O'Neill MLA[12] First Minister
Emma Little-Pengelly MLA deputy First Minister
Jersey Deputy Lyndon Farnham Chief Minister
Isle of Man Alfred Cannan MHK Chief Minister
Guernsey Deputy Lyndon Trott P&RC President

Name of the Council

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Initial suggestions for the council included the names Council of the British Isles[13] or Council of the Isles,[14] and the council has sometimes been known by the latter name. However, owing to sensitivities around the term British Isles, particularly in Ireland, the name British–Irish Council was agreed.

The official name of the council is represented in minority and lesser-used languages of the council as:

Summits

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Number Date Host Host leader(s) Location held Communique/reference
1st 17 December 1999 United Kingdom Tony Blair London [1]
2nd 30 November 2001 Ireland Bertie Ahern Dublin [2]
3rd 14 June 2002 Jersey Pierre Horsfall Saint Helier [3]
4th 22 November 2002 Scotland Jack McConnell New Lanark [4]
5th 28 November 2003 Wales Rhodri Morgan St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff [5]
6th 28 November 2004 Guernsey Laurie Morgan Castle Cornet [6]
7th 20 May 2005 Isle of Man Donald Gelling Villa Marina, Douglas [7]
8th 2 June 2006 United Kingdom John Prescott ExCeL Conference Centre, London [8]
9th 16 July 2007 Northern Ireland Ian Paisley
Martin McGuinness		 Parliament Buildings, Belfast [9]
10th 14 February 2008 Ireland Bertie Ahern Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin [10]
11th 26 September 2008 Scotland Alex Salmond Hopetoun House, South Queensferry [11]
12th 20 February 2009 Wales Rhodri Morgan SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff [12]
13th 13 November 2009 Jersey Terry Le Sueur Radisson Hotel, Saint Helier [13]
14th 25 June 2010 Guernsey Lyndon Trott Fermain Valley Hotel, Saint Peter Port [14]
15th 13 December 2010 Isle of Man Tony Brown Sefton Hotel, Douglas [15]
16th 20 June 2011 United Kingdom Nick Clegg Lancaster House, London [16]
17th 13 January 2012 Ireland Enda Kenny Dublin Castle, Dublin [17]
18th 22 June 2012 Scotland Alex Salmond Stirling Castle, Stirling [18]
19th 26 November 2012 Wales Carwyn Jones Cardiff Castle, Cardiff [19]
20th 21 June 2013 Northern Ireland Peter Robinson
Martin McGuinness		 Magee College, Derry [20]
21st 15 November 2013 Jersey Ian Gorst L’Horizon Hotel, Saint Brélade [21]
22nd 13 June 2014 Guernsey Jonathan Le Tocq St. Pierre Park Hotel, Saint Peter Port [22]
23rd 28 November 2014 Isle of Man Allan Bell Villa Marina Complex, Douglas [23]
24th 19 June 2015 Ireland Enda Kenny Dublin Castle, Dublin [24]
25th 27 November 2015 United Kingdom Theresa Villiers Lancaster House, London [25]
26th 17 June 2016 Scotland Nicola Sturgeon Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow [26]
27th Extraordinary 22 July 2016 Wales Carwyn Jones Cathays Park, Cardiff [27]
28th 25 November 2016 Wales Carwyn Jones Cathays Park, Cardiff [28]
29th 10 November 2017 Jersey Ian Gorst L’Horizon Hotel, St. Brelade

[29]

30th 22 June 2018 Guernsey Gavin St Pier St Pierre Park Hotel, Saint Peter Port [30]
31st 9 November 2018 Isle of Man Howard Quayle Isle of Man [31]
32nd 28 June 2019 United Kingdom David Lidington Manchester [32]
33rd 15 November 2019 Ireland Leo Varadkar Dublin [33]
34th 6 November 2020 Scotland Nicola Sturgeon via video conferencing [30]
35th 11 June 2021 Northern Ireland Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill Lough Erne resort, Fermanagh [31][18]
36th 19 November 2021 Wales Mark Drakeford Cardiff [32]
37th 8 July 2022 Guernsey Peter Ferbrache St. Pierre Park Hotel, Saint Peter Port [33]
38th 11 November 2022 United Kingdom Rishi Sunak Blackpool [34][10]
39th 16 June 2023 Jersey Kristina Moore St Brelade [35][19]
40th 24 November 2023 Ireland Leo Varadkar Dublin Castle [36]
41st 21 June 2024 Isle of Man Alfred Cannan Isle of Man [20]
42nd 5–6 December 2024 Scotland John Swinney Edinburgh [21]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland is a diarchy. While other members of the organization are represented at Summit Meetings by their respective chief ministers, or on occasions have sent their deputies, Northern Ireland is represented by both the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. The Scottish and Welsh Deputy First Ministers have attended meetings in the past.

References

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  1. ^ Jesse, Neal G., Williams, Kristen P.: Identity and institutions: conflict reduction in divided societies.Publisher SUNY Press, 2005, page 107. ISBN 0-7914-6451-2
  2. ^ See Vernon Bogdanor, 'The British–Irish Council and Devolution', in Government and Opposition: An International Journal of Comparative Politics, volume 34, issue 3, July 1999, pp.291–295.
  3. ^ "British-Irish Council". Scottish Government. 25 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  4. ^ Council, The British Irish. "Background". The British Irish Council. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Council, The British Irish. "Timeline". The British Irish Council. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Scotland to host 42nd British-Irish Council". gov.scot. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Fourth Report Submitted By United Kingdom Pursuant To Article 25, Paragraph 2 Of The Framework Convention For The Protection Of National Minorities". Council of Europe. 8 April 2015. p. 25. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  8. ^ "New Frontiers: Cornish Culture and Heritage" (PDF). Cornwall Council. 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  9. ^ Belfast Agreement Archived 22 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine – Strand Three, Articles 8 and 9.
    British-Irish Council website, Frequently Asked Questions: Who pays for the British-Irish Council? Archived 30 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ a b c "In Context: The British-Irish Council". 22 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Cornwall Council approves new devolution deal". 28 November 2023.
  12. ^ "DUP: NI First Minister Paul Givan announces resignation". BBC News. 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  13. ^ UDP proposes creation of British Isles council Archived 11 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Irish Times, 30 May 1996
  14. ^ The British-Irish Council: Nordic Lessons for the Council of the Isles Archived 10 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Mads Qvortrup and Robert Hazell, The Constitution Unit, October 1998
  15. ^ "Menystrans hembronk rag yethow teythyek, minoryta ha le-usys yw an Governans Kembrek". British-Irish Council. 16 May 2013. Archived from the original on 16 August 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  16. ^ 1/1999: AN tACHT UM CHOMHAONTÚ NA BREATAINE-NA hÉIREANN, 1999
  17. ^ "Work of the British-Irish Council". British-Irish Council. Archived from the original on 29 January 2004. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  18. ^ "Arlene Foster bows out with smiles and Frank Sinatra's That's Life". The Guardian. 11 June 2021. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Jersey to host 39th British-Irish Council Summit". 13 June 2023.
  20. ^ Gash, Juliette (21 June 2024). "Taoiseach attends British-Irish Council on Isle of Man". RTÉ News.
  21. ^ Council, The British Irish; Penny, Lisa (2 December 2024). "British-Irish Council Summit to be hosted by the Scottish Government". The British Irish Council. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
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