Machinery of Government
Machinery of Government branch on behalf of the Executive provides a co-ordination role across the Northern Ireland Government Departments on business associated with the working and administration of devolved government including North South and East West matters.
Work of the Machinery of Government branch
We provide support for Ministers on a range of issues including:
- North South Ministerial Council
- Joint Ministerial Committee
- British Irish Council
- North West Gateway Initiative (see below)
- Institutional and cross-cutting North South matters
- Correspondence with other governments
- Acting as a central point of contact for guidance and procedures on the business of government across the administration.
North West Gateway Initiative
The establishment of the North West Gateway Initiative (NWGI) was announced at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in May 2006. The NWGI was established to foster and encourage economic growth in the North West area, covering Derry, Limavady and Strabane and Donegal County Council. The objective was to provide a focus for sustained cooperative action from the two Governments which, over a period of time, would make a real difference to the region.
The Initiative has played an important role in providing a focus on the region and in encouraging practical co-operation from existing Departments and agencies on a North South basis in developing a range of projects.
The Executive has agreed that the current work programme should be reactivated, where appropriate, and completed with renewed contact with stakeholders. Work is being taken forward by a group of officials, from across Departments on a cross border basis.
