British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) Meeting Downing Street
The Taoiseach will today attend the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Downing Street. This is the first meeting of the BIIGC at the level of Taoiseach and Prime Minister since 1999 and is the first comprehensive engagement between the two Governments on Northern Ireland since the British General election in May.
The meeting will also be attended by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law reform, Mr. McDowell TD and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern TD.
The British Irish Intergovernmental Conference was established under the Good Friday Agreement. The Conference is normally attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his counterpart the Secretary of State. Provision is made however for meetings at Summit level, i.e. between the Taoiseach and Prime Minister, as required.
The holding of a meeting of the British and Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Summit level is a demonstration of the close working and high level partnership between the two Governments. It is also a demonstration of the commitment of the two Governments to pursue progress across the range of issues embraced by the Good Friday Agreement.
The Conference will address a range of issues including political developments, security and criminal justice, policing, the marching season, human rights and equality, North /South and East /West matters.
The Taoiseach will also raise the Dublin/Monaghan bombings with the Prime Minister during the Conference.
26th June 2005