CHIEF Minister Allan Bell MHK and Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK held ‘valuable’ meetings with senior politicians from throughout the British Isles at the 17th British-Irish Council Summit in Dublin on Friday.
Aside from the official discussions between government representatives from the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey, the summit was an opportunity for members of the Manx delegation to talk informally and forge links with our neighbour’s major leaders.
Mr Bell, attending his first council summit since becoming Chief Minister, referred to ‘very fruitful’ discussions with Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond, especially relevant at this time when Scotland is considering its constitutional future within the United Kingdom.
Friday was also Mr Bell’s first face-to-face meeting with Senator Ian Gorst, Jersey’s new Chief Minister.
The agenda at Dublin Castle centred on the state of the economy, youth unemployment and the issues surrounding problem drug-use.
Mr Bell said: ‘The British-Irish Council has always been a valuable forum for the Isle of Man, allowing us to take our place alongside the governments of our neighbouring islands and discuss common challenges at the highest level. It affords us the respect and recognition we need to further strengthen the island’s international identity.’
He added: ‘All our governments are facing, and working hard to address, significant fiscal challenges. The British-Irish Council draws everybody together to focus on ways to grow our economies and create a more sustainable future for people across our islands.
‘From an Isle of Man perspective, it is also an opportunity to reaffirm our economic value to our closest neighbours and trading partners.’
Also at the table were Ireland Taoiseach Enda Kenny, UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Wales First Minister Carwyn Jones and Guernsey Chief Minister Lyndon Trott.
The British-Irish Council was established under the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement, to serve as a platform for co-operation between member countries through consultation. Scotland will host the council’s next summit in June.
The Isle of Man delegation to Dublin also included chief secretary Will Greenhow, director of external relations Della Fletcher, DHA chief executive Mark Kelly, and drug and alcohol liaison officer Orla O’Donoghue.
