Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I attended the 31st British-Irish Council, BIC, Summit in the Isle of Man on Friday, 9 November, hosted by Chief Minister Howard Quale. I was accompanied by the Minister of State with responsibility for natural resources, community affairs and digital development, Deputy Sean Canney.

The discussion at the summit covered political developments for administrations since the last summit in June, including on the implications of Brexit, particularly for relationships across the islands and all seven jurisdictions. The council also discussed the current political situation in Northern Ireland and I restated my regret that Northern Ireland was not represented at the meeting. In fact, everyone expressed their regret that the Deputy First Minister and First Minister of Northern Ireland were not present because they do not exist. That was the strong view around the table.

The council also endorsed plans for a future programme of work for the council’s digital inclusion work sector. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, took part in a thematic discussion on the subject of digital inclusion. Topics covered included digital rights, digital skills and literacy and partnership working between the BIC Administrations.

Cabinet Office Minister, Mr. David Lidington, MP, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Karen Bradley, MP, attended the summit meeting for the UK Government, along with the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales and the Chief Ministers of Guernsey and Jersey. I took the opportunity to have bilateral discussions with First Minister Carwyn Jones and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. In both meetings we exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and continued co-operation with discussions focusing mainly on Brexit and its impacts on business and citizens and on developments in Westminster and Brussels. I wished First Minister Jones well in his future because it was the occasion of his last BIC summit because he will step down as leader of the Welsh Labour Party and First Minister on 11 December.

I also held brief discussions with David Lidington on Brexit and on the absence of an agreement between the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive. I underlined the importance of the restoration of the institutions in the context of the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and undertook to continue to work with the British Government to assist the Northern parties to achieve this outcome.

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