Chief Minister Allan Bell CBE MHK has today (Friday 17 June 2016) led a senior delegation from the Isle of Man Government attending the 26 British-Irish Council (BIC) Summit in Scotland.
Mr Bell and Howard Quayle MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care, took part in top-level discussions on a range of issues, including the implications of the EU referendum, the state of the economy and efforts to improve social inclusion.
At the start of the Summit, the Council observed a minute’s silence following the death of Jo Cox, MP for Batley and Spen, and offered condolences to her family.
The BIC, established under the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement, is the only international forum comprising the governments of the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. It plays an important role in developing positive links between member countries and provides a platform for consultation and co-operation.
As well as contributing to the Summit’s main agenda, the Chief Minister took the opportunity to hold one-to-one discussions with many of the other leaders. Members of the Isle of Man delegation also took part in a trilateral meeting with their counterparts from Jersey and Guernsey.
The Chief Minister said: ‘The British-Irish Council has always been a valuable forum for the Isle of Man. It allows us to take our place alongside the governments of our neighbouring islands and discuss common issues at the very highest level. The additional value lies in the side meetings where we can strengthen personal relationships with the other Ministers and highlight the Isle of Man’s position on specific issues.’
He added: ‘I was also able to update Council on some of the Island’s domestic priorities, including tackling the rising costs of health and social care and efforts to ensure we have a skilled workforce to take up the jobs available in our growing economy.’
The Chief Minister took his place at the BIC Summit alongside the political leaders of other sovereign governments, devolved administrations and crown dependencies, joining delegations headed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (Scotland), David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland (UK), Taoiseach Enda Kenny (Ireland), First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness (Northern Ireland), First Minister Carwyn Jones (Wales), Chief Minister Ian Gorst (Jersey) and Chief Minister Gavin St Pier (Guernsey).
In addition to assessing the current economic situation, Council discussed social inclusion and the work taking place across member countries to enable people to fully participate in society.
Minister Quayle said: ‘Council noted the vital contribution carers make to our community and gave a commitment to work together and share best practice on how to support those who provide unpaid care in the home. In the Isle of Man, this is part of our wider health and social care strategy, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of our people and to protect vulnerable members of the community.’
The official communiqué from the 26th BIC Summit can be found here.
