North / South

The North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) was established on 02 December 1999 arising from Strand Two of the Agreement reached in the Multi-Party Negotiations in Belfast on Good Friday, 10 April 1998 ("the Agreement" pdf 204kb)

It brings together Ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government, to develop consultation, co-operation and action within the island of Ireland on matters of mutual interest.  In Northern Ireland the NSMC operates within the legislative framework of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 ,  as amended by the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement ) Act 2006

The NSMC oversees the work of 12 Areas for Co-operation.  The North/South (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (the Order) gave domestic effect to the establishment of six North/South Implementation Bodies.  Further details of these can be found at the North South Ministerial Council

The Council is supported by a Joint Secretariat in Armagh staffed by personnel from OFMDFM and the Irish Civil Service.  

The Joint Secretary (North) of the North South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat is Mary Bunting, a senior OFMDFM official.  A total of 14 OFMDFM staff are employed in the Joint Secretariat.

Further information on the work of the Joint Secretariat, the six North/South Implementation Bodies and the six Areas of Co-operation can be found on the NSMC website

Download latest NSMC Annual Report  NSMC Annual Report