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British and Irish Parliamentarians brought together at Holyrood

116/2005 | 28 November 2005

The Scottish Parliament is today (Monday) welcoming delegates of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body (BIIPB) who are meeting in Scotland for the first time.

The 31st plenary of the BIIPB, which brings together MSPs with parliamentarians from Irish, Westminster and other UK legislatures to discuss items of common concern, is taking place at the Dalmahoy Hotel in Edinburgh from 27 to 29 November 2005.

Delegates are discussing a range of topics, including economic and political progress in Northern Ireland, developing transport links and funding from the European Union. The session also includes the opportunity for members to question the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Peter Hain MP.

A cross-party delegation of MSPs from the Scottish Parliament is participating in the plenary session:

• Deputy Presiding Officer Murray Tosh
• Iain Smith MSP
• David McLetchie MSP
• Michael McMahon MSP
• Robin Harper MSP

Today’s business also includes a discussion on ‘The Implications of the Co-operation Programme’, which will assess co-operation opportunities between the north of Ireland and south west Scotland.

This follows a report on ‘European Funding Programmes and Developing Understanding across Borders’ which was prepared by one of the BIIPB’s committees in March this year and included the participation of Margaret Ewing MSP and Helen Eadie MSP.

Dennis Canavan MSP will watch proceedings as an observer on behalf of the Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee. He is leading an inquiry as Reporter to the Committee into “The Possibility of a Programme of Co-operation Between Scotland and Ireland”.

All delegates are being welcomed to the Scottish Parliament this evening to further strengthen cultural links and build on good relations established between the Parliamentarians.

The Presiding Officer, George Reid MSP, will welcome delegates to a dinner in the Garden Lobby. He said:

"Sitting down and exploring issues which are of mutual benefit with our fellow parliamentarians from around Britain and Ireland is an opportunity that the Scottish Parliament should engage in.

"It is a pleasure to welcome the BIIPB delegates to our new Parliament. As well as continuing to learn from each other, these discussions can only strengthen relations between Scottish, Irish and other legislatures.”

The plenary session of the BIIPB is being attended by Parliamentarians from the UK Parliament, Ireland’s national Parliament the Oireachtas, Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the High Court of Tynwald and the States of Guernsey and Jersey.

As the Northern Ireland Assembly is currently suspended, no members from it will attend meetings at present.

Background Note

For more information on the Scottish Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee Inquiry into “The Possibility of a Programme of Co-operation Between Scotland and Ireland”, visit:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/europe/inquiries/scotirel/eur-scotirel-home.htm

The Parliament's media contact is:

Sally Coyne Tel: 0131 348 6269
RNID TypeTalk calls welcome
email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk