British–Irish cooperation
June 2007
British–Irish Council
The British–Irish Council (BIC) is a counterpart of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC). Under Strand Three of the Good Friday Agreement, the British-Irish Council (Council of Isles) was established with the aim of promoting harmonious and mutually beneficial development of relationships among the peoples of the United Kingdom and Ireland. It consists of representatives from the British and Irish governments, the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Heads of Assemblies and governments were delegates to the BIC. Further details of the work are laid out in Strand Three of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Council has decided to examine and develop policies for co-operation on drugs, social exclusion, transport and the environment. Though there are other issues for discussion, such as agriculture, tourism, health, education, culture, links between cities, towns and local districts, approaches to EU issues, sporting activity and minority and lesser used languages.
British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference
The British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIC) was designed to replace the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Council and the Intergovernmental Conference, which were established in 1985, as part of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Details concerning the work of the British–Irish Intergovernmental Conference can be found in Strand Three of the Good Friday Agreement. The BIIC can be located at Windsor House, Bedford Street, Belfast.
The Conference is charged with bringing together both the British and Irish governments to promote bilateral cooperation at all levels on matters of interest. It acts as a possible conduit in which various disagreements could be discussed and resolved. Co-operation within the framework of the Conference will include security matters, but the Conference will address other matters such as – areas of rights, policing, justice and all cross-border aspects. The Conference can review all matters regarding the overall political agreement arising from the multi-party negotiations, but will have no power to override the democratic arrangements set up by the Belfast Agreement.