British-Irish Council Meeting

So, Tuesday will see the first time the DUPes have officially taken part in a North/South Ministerial Council Meeting with representatives from the Republic’s government. Theoretically this may have been difficult for some of their more..traditional supporters to swallow, so very conveniently, a meeting of the British-Irish Council has been arranged for the day before (today). In the past, the DUPes have even boycotted this body, but we’re living in changed times and now, apparently this "important meeting" (which includes representatives from all the administrations in the British Isles; Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, the UK Government and the Government of the Republic of Ireland.) will "strengthen UK ties".

The representative from Scotland will be Alex Salmond of the SNP (Ultimate aim? For Scotland to break away from the UK); the representative from Wales will be Plaid Cymru leader, Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ultimate aim? For Wales to break away from the UK). I haven’t a clue who’ll be the representatives from Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey; they’re all very nice places, but in the big scheme of the things, I really don’t think their representatives will be able to say or do much that "will strengthen UK ties".

And also in attendance, don’t forget, will be Bertie Ahern, Prime-Minister of the Irish Republic- he’s that bothered about strengthening Northern Ireland’s "UK ties"?
So, three out of the four big-hitters coming are technically and publicly dedicated to weakening, not strengthening "Uk ties".

Leaving aside that rather important point, the DUPes propaganda wing (aka The Newsletter) goes on to report:

A DUP spokesman also called the meeting “practically and strategically important” and suggested there would be meaningful discussion on a range of topics.

Not least, security and the international terrorist threat in the regions – after the Glasgow Airport attack – economic links and infrastructure, and joint work on tourism.

For N. Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the *security and the international terror threat* is still dealt with by Westminster and central bodies, such as MI5. You’d also hope that there is already discussion between the ROI and the UK on these topics on a regular and high-level basis; if we’re relying on a one day meeting to sort out the *international threat*, then I really think we’re in trouble.
Regarding the *economic links and infrastructure, and joint work on tourism*, the BIC, unlike the North-South Ministerial Body (see last post), is very much a talking shop; from it’s constitution, this is its declared aim:

"..to promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands... the BIC will exchange information, discuss, consult and use best endeavours to reach agreement on co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the relevant Administrations".

Nice, but compare it to that of the North-South Ministerial Council:

The Agreement stipulates that the North/South Ministerial Council will bring together those with executive responsibilities in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government to develop consultation, co-operation and action within the island of Ireland - including through implementation on an all-island and cross-border basis - on matters of mutual interest and within the competence of each Administration, North and South.

Is it only me, or is that latter target, slightly more positive and practical in outlining its role?

Managed correctly, as I said yesterday, Unionists have got nothing to fear from the NS/MC. And, don’t get me wrong, the BIC is a lovely idea, everyone coming together for jaffa-cakes, a cup of tea and a wee chat.

But the DUPes are being disingenous trying to sell them off as equal bodies and over-emphasising the importance of the BIC. The BIC has been thrown in as a bone to the Unionists, nothing more, as an afterhought to stop the backwoodsmen getting too stressed about the NS/MC.