British Irish Council

The British-Irish Council (BIC) was established under the British-Irish Agreement 1998 to ‘promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of relationships among the peoples of the United Kingdom and Ireland'. It is made up of representatives of the British and Irish Governments, of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.

The Council works to promote positive, practical relationships among its members.  The BIC meets regularly in various formats to review areas of common interest and use best endeavours to reach agreement on co-operation on matters related to nine priority work sectors.  The current agreed work sectors which are: Misuse of drugs; Environment; Transport; Social Inclusion; Knowledge Economy; Tourism; e-Health; Minority and Lesser-Used Languages and Demography.  However, the BIC does not have any legislative or regulatory remit in regard to these areas.

For further information please visit the British Irish Council website