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Question reference: S6W-28844

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 July 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by John Swinney on 1 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in the Isle of Man.

On 21 June 2024, I represented the Scottish Government at the Summit meeting of the British-Irish Council hosted by the Government of Isle of Man and chaired by the Chief Minister – Alfred Cannan. The meeting was attended by Ministers from all eight of the BIC Member Administrations.

The theme of the Summit focussed on “Unlocking the Economic and Social Opportunities of Renewables Across These Islands ” which offered the opportunity to share and learn from the range of initiatives being taken across these islands to enable the benefits of renewable energy to be realised across jurisdictions, with Ministers noting the importance of a just transition to net zero.

On the Latest Political Developments item, the Council welcomed the return of the Northern Ireland Ministers to the table following the restoration of the Executive. Ministers also reflected on international issues including the ongoing situations in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza as well as issues closer to home such as the continuing cost crisis. I took the opportunity to set out Scotland’s missions of eradicating child poverty, building the economy and supporting jobs, improving the health service and addressing the climate crisis.

I noted that the Scottish Government will host the next Summit in December.

During the Summit, I held bilateral meetings with the Taoiseach, the Northern Ireland deputy First Minister who was joined by Junior Minister of the Executive, Aisling Reilly in the absence of the First Minister of Northern Ireland, and the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man.

The Communiqué that was issued by the British-Irish Council after the meeting can be found on its website at: britishirishcouncil.org

41st British-Irish Council Summit

Isle of Man, 21 June 2024

Communiqué

The British-Irish Council (BIC) held its 41 st Summit today hosted by the Isle of Man Government and discussed a range of political and economic developments across their administrations. The Summit meeting was chaired by Isle of Man Government Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK, who welcomed several Heads of Administration attending a BIC Summit for the first time.

Unlocking the Economic and Social Opportunities of Renewables Across These Islands

The Council discussed various ways administrations are developing initiatives to realise the opportunities of renewable energy to stimulate economic growth and support decarbonisation efforts.

Latest Political Developments

The Council warmly welcomed the return of the Northern Ireland Executive to the British-Irish Council table, as well as the restoration of the devolved institutions and the North South Ministerial Council. The Council also noted that 2024 marks the 25 th anniversary of the British-Irish Council following its establishment under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and commended its work on promoting positive relations across these islands.

The Council also reflected on a range of developments across their administrations and internationally, and on topics of mutual interest.

Next Summit Meeting

The Council noted that the next BIC Summit will be hosted by the Scottish Government.

BIC Secretariat

21 June 2024

Plenary Participants

Government of Guernsey
Chief Minister	Deputy Lyndon Trott

Government of Ireland
Taoiseach	Simon Harris TD

Isle of Man Government
Chief Minister	Hon Alfred Cannan MHK

Government of Jersey
Chief Minister	Deputy Lyndon Farnham

Northern Ireland Executive
First Minister	Michelle O’Neill MLA (virtual)
deputy First Minister	Emma Little-Pengelly MLA
Junior Minister	Aisling Reilly MLA
Minister for the Economy	Conor Murphy MLA

Scottish Government
First Minister	Rt Hon John Swinney MSP

UK Government
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland	Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris

Welsh Government
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language	Jeremy Miles MS