Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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341. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his priorities for the North-South Ministerial Council meeting which took place on 18 November 2016. [34560/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Communiqué issued after the plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in Armagh on Friday 18 November 2016 reflects the key points of discussion and the priorities of the Irish Government articulated at that meeting.

A key objective of the Government for the NSMC plenary meeting was to demonstrate that we continue to give priority attention to the Northern Ireland and all-island implications of the referendum decision of the UK to leave the EU - with particular relevance to areas where serious implications arise, including the economy and trade, Northern Ireland and the peace process and the Common Travel Area.

The plenary meeting agreed that the Government and Northern Ireland Executive will continue to work closely together through the NSMC to optimise North South planning in the phases preceding and following the UK withdrawal from the EU. In terms of taking forward the necessary work, the NSMC agreed that the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive will be guided by some common principles. It also agreed that this work would be taken forward through continuing bilateral discussions within the NSMC at sectorial level, as well as through a high-level working group comprising senior officials from the Government and from the Northern Ireland Executive Office.

The NSMC plenary meeting also reviewed progress on the implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement commitments on cross-border infrastructure projects and on the cross-border partnership arrangements, developed by Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council, that relate to the North West Gateway Initiative.

Finally, the NSMC plenary also reviewed the major economic and social developments which had occurred in both parts of the island since its last meeting in July 2016. There was a particular welcome for the recent formal launch of the island’s bid to host 2023 Rugby World Cup.