First Minister Alex Salmond
Statement on the 10th British Irish Council Summit
Scottish Parliament
February 21, 2008
Presiding Officer, last week along with the Minister for Community Safety I represented this Government at the tenth British Irish Council Summit. The meeting took place in Dublin, hosted by the Taoiseach.
I would like to take the opportunity to inform colleagues in this Chamber of the productive and useful discussions that took place at the Summit and of the way Scotland is contributing to the valuable work of the Council.
I am also pleased to report that we are making excellent progress in forging friendships and close working relationships with all the members of the British-Irish Council.
The Council was established under the Good Friday Agreement on 10 April 1998 'to promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of these islands'. Its members are the British and Irish Governments, the Scottish Government and those of Wales and Northern Ireland; and Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
It would be reasonable to say that the importance of the body has been substantially enhanced by the participation of the Assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland.
The Council enables members to exchange information, consult and cooperate on areas of mutual interest. Last week we made progress in a number of areas.Misuse of Drugs
We had a very constructive discussion on the misuse of drugs, the work stream led by the Irish Government. We reflected in particular on the impacts of problem drug use on families - and especially young children - and how to respond through our respective drug and alcohol strategies.
All members welcomed the opportunity to hear from their colleagues on the shared and specific challenges that they face. And, Presiding Officer, that this was a very valuable and timely discussion in relation to the development of the Scottish Government's new drug strategy.
Indeed it emerged during the discussion that all administrations are going through a similar process.
The discussion broadened to embrace the impacts of alcohol misuse - which is a significant, shared challenge for all our societies. This led to a constructive discussion which will certainly help to shape the Council's future work. Significantly it was agreed by all that great though the social damage of the scourge of illegal drugs undoubtedly is, the consequences of alcohol misuse are substantially greater.
Presiding Officer, there was a brief discussion on the work programme of the Council - a subject which we will discuss in detail at the next Summit. And I was pleased to confirm to members that the Scottish Government will host the next British Irish Council in Edinburgh this September.
The Scottish Government aims to be a positive and proactive partner in the Council. As part of this approach we are proposing to include energy as a new work stream for the Council. This is a matter of huge importance to all members.
Last week I took the opportunity to highlight to colleagues the importance of energy issues. And I emphasised that the focus of that work should be about connectivity and transmission - a strategic issue for all Council members.
There is an enormous opportunity to be found in terms of the generation of renewable energy but there is not yet a strategy for connectivity and transmission. Scotland has a huge amount to offer here. And cooperation through the British-Irish Council may also lead to progress on related issues such as carbon capture and storage and climate change. And by leading a new work stream on energy - on which I shall present a paper at the Scottish Summit - Council members can give the issue the profile it deserves.
As colleagues in the Chamber are aware, the British-Irish Council is an important forum and the Scottish Government seeks to maximise its potential.
And we can further enhance the strength and success of the Council by developing closer bilateral relationships with each of its member governments.
While in Dublin, I also had a very useful meeting with the Taoiseach where we discussed our respective plans in a number of areas including energy.
We look to Ireland with respect and admiration for what it has achieved as a small independent country and our relationship with its government is of major significance.
The Taoiseach and I discussed ways in which we can strengthen our working relationships and we have paved the way for further talks and bi-lateral visits later this year.
In addition to that, I held a meeting with the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland, and the First and Deputy First Ministers of Wales. This was our first formal tri-lateral meeting since the three new administrations were established, and is significant for a number of reasons.
Firstly, we held valuable discussions on the current arrangements for devolution within the UK, and reached a clear collective view on the importance of the Joint Ministerial Committee and other formal mechanisms.
Secondly, we identified important areas for bi-lateral cooperation in specific policy areas. One early opportunity that we have proposed is for other member governments to come to Scotland to hear about the work of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission which has produced great interest particularly in Wales.
And thirdly, following our valuable bilateral and trilateral discussions, we have set in train plans for similar meetings this year.
Presiding Officer, would be remiss of me not to mention the successful visit yesterday by our friends from across the sea, the First and Deputy Ministers of Northern Ireland, and the Junior Ministers. In particular, we made significant progress in taking forward the Campbeltown-Ballycastle ferry service by the signing of a joint declaration and publication of a joint paper setting out the way forward. 1. Conclusion
Presiding Officer, in conclusion I am very pleased to be able to inform the Chamber of a positive and constructive set of meetings at last week's British-Irish Council. And of strengthening ties between the Scottish Government and other Council members. The communiqué from the Summit is the official record of the meeting and I can confirm this is now lodged with SPICe.
The current arrangements bring together two sovereign states, three devolved nations and three crown dependencies. This could be a model for future co-operation across these islands but of course I would anticipate that three sovereign states is a likely development.
We look forward to growing cooperation and progress together in the coming months and years. And the Scottish Government will ensure that the next Summit in Edinburgh later this year is a success - laying strong foundations for the future of the British-Irish Council.