Taoiseach and NI Minister to speak at interparliamentary event
The 62nd plenary of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly will be held on Monday and Tuesday October 24-25 at the Farnham Estate Spa & Golf Course, Cavan, Ireland.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, UK Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker will address the assembly on Monday. British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnson is also due to speak.
Lawmakers from Ireland and all the British legislatures, and the Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories gather twice a year to discuss matters of mutual interest. Politicians from all these areas are due to debate trade while three of its Committees will present reports to members, including on the impact on UK-Irish trade of Brexit from the Economic Affairs Committee.
Irish Co Chair of BIPA Brendan Smith TD said: “We look forward to welcoming parliamentarians to Cavan for the 62nd Plenary meeting of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly.”
“This is a timely opportunity to engage with colleagues from a number of legislatures on a range of topics of particular concern across Britain and Ireland at present. As we approach the 25th Anniversary of the historic signing of the Good Friday Agreement the work of BIPA will contribute to a strengthening of British-Irish bilateral relations and by working together we can successfully address issues of critical importance in both jurisdictions.”
British Co Chair of BIPA Karen Bradley MP said: “Next week will be the first plenary in Ireland for more than two years and I speak for all UK members when I say we are very much looking forward to it. It comes at a time of heightened international tensions where cooperation, constructive debate and friendly relations with friends, which is exactly what BIPA provides, has rarely been more important.”
