Policy paper

British-Irish Council 26th Summit: Communique

Published 17 June 2016

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

The British-Irish Council (BIC) held its 26th summit meeting today hosted by the Scottish government in Glasgow.

The following heads of delegation were welcomed by the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon MSP on behalf of the Scottish government:

• Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD led the Irish government delegation
• David Mundell Secretary of State for Scotland led the UK government delegation
• First Minister Arlene Foster MLA and the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA represented the Northern Ireland Executive
• First Minister Carwyn Jones AM led the Welsh government delegation
• Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK led the Isle of Man government delegation
• Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst led the government of Jersey delegation
• Chief Minister Deputy Gavin St Pier led the government of Guernsey delegation

The British-Irish Council was established under the 1998 Multi-Party Agreement and plays a unique and important role in developing and furthering links between its member administrations.

It provides a forum for exchange of information and collaboration on matters of mutual interest and it fosters positive, practical relationships across these islands.

The council observed a minute’s silence following the death of Jo Cox MP for Batley and Spen and offered condolences to her family.

1. Priorities for BIC Member Administrations

The council reflected on recent elections across a number of member administrations, and discussed how the council could continue to promote cooperation on issues of mutual interest such as economic progress in member administrations, education and closing the attainment gap, housing and healthcare. The council also noted there might be scope for new areas of cooperation based on emerging priorities across these islands.

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2. Carers: supporting people who provide unpaid care in the home

Ministers with particular responsibility for this issue met in advance of the summit to consider a detailed paper prepared by the council’s social inclusion work sector.

The discussion was then taken forward by Heads of Administration, where the council agreed that carers are an integral part of society, caring for family, friends and neighbours affected by physical or mental illness, disability, frailty or substance misuse.

The council noted the vital contribution which carers make to society and that whilst caring can be a positive and rewarding experience, high-intensity caring can result in poor carer health, both physically and mentally.

Across member administrations, carers’ policy sits within a wider context of tackling economic, health and social inequalities and, with regard to young carers, within the holistic, child-at-the-centre focus.

The council reflected on the benefits of a shift towards preventative approaches rather than crisis-led responses, as well as greater integration of services at a local level.

The council agreed that further action is required to support carers. member administrations committed to working together in order to further their knowledge and understanding of good practice in supporting carers, especially with regard to young carers and older carers; carer identification; and telecare, telehealth and assistive technology.

Member administrations will work with partners in the statutory and third sectors, in communities and in academia to take forward this agenda. The work sector paper will be published on the British-Irish Council website.

3. The British-Irish Council Review

The Scottish government updated the council on the work done in advance of the summit to take forward the The British-Irish Council Review.

The council agreed to examine whether there are common policy objectives in emerging and established programmes for government across member administrations and whether there is scope for further collaboration.

The council also agreed the introduction of a ‘task and finish approach’ to the work of the current council work sectors to ensure continued relevance and endorsed the forward work plan agreed by collaborative spatial planning work sector.

Work on the review will now be progressed by the Welsh government in advance of the next summit.

4. The British-Irish Council Secretariat

The council noted the secretariat’s end of year report and agreed a new council communications plan for the period 2016 to 2018. It welcomed the publication of the BIC Annual Report 2015.

5. Date and location of the next summit meeting

The council noted that the next BIC summit would be hosted by the Welsh government in November 2016.

6. List of ministerial delegates

6.1  UK government

Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell MP Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State for Community and Social Care

6.2  Irish government:

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Helen McEntee TD

6.3  Northern Ireland Executive

First Minister Arlene Foster MLA Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA Minister for Health, Michelle O’Neill MLA

6.4 Scottish government

First Minister Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell MSP

6.5  Welsh government

First Minister Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM

6.6 Isle of Man government

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK Chief Secretary of the Isle of Man government, William Greenhow MHK

6.7 Government of Jersey

Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst Assistant Chief Minister Senator Paul Routier Minister for External Relations Senator Sir Philip Bailhache

6.8 Government of Guernsey

Chief Minister Deputy Gavin St Pier Assistant Chief Minister for Social Policy Deputy Jane Stephens