Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK and Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle MHK represented the Isle of Man at the 24th Summit of the British-Irish Council (BIC) held in Dublin today (Friday June 19, 2015).
The meeting, at Dublin Castle, was hosted by the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD who welcomed government leaders from the United Kingdom, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Delegates included the UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond MP and the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP.
The Chief Minister commented:
‘The British-Irish Council gives the Isle of Man a seat at the top table amongst the governments of the British Isles and Ireland, and it is an invaluable forum for the sharing of views and insights at the highest level.
‘This Summit was particularly interesting and useful, coming at a time when all the BIC members are facing up to the implications of potential change in the UK’s relationship with Europe and the prospect of further devolution following its general election.’
Discussions around the Summit included the Chief Minister speaking with Philip Hammond about the UK’s EU Referendum and its implications for the Isle of Man, a meeting with Nicola Sturgeon and senior Scottish officials, a discussion with the Irish Finance Minister Simon Harris TD, as well as a tri-lateral meeting of the Crown Dependency delegates.
Mr Bell took the opportunity to express the Island’s condolences to the Taoiseach following the tragic deaths of six Irish students in a balcony collapse in Berkeley, California. He and Mr Quayle also signed a book of condolences in Dublin.
Minister Quayle addressed the Summit on one of the main agenda items, which was tackling the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol.
