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An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, will today (Friday) attend the 32^nd British Irish Council (BIC) Summit which is being hosted in Manchester by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt. Hon. David Lidington MP. The Taoiseach will be accompanied by Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton TD.

Heads of Administrations from the devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands will also attend the Summit meeting.  The Taoiseach will take the opportunity to have bilateral discussions with the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, who will be attending his first Summit.  The Taoiseach will also hold discussions with Chancellor Lidington and with the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

Discussions at the Summit will cover key political developments for Administrations since the last Summit in November, with a focus on the implications of Brexit, particularly for relations across the islands.  Previous topics expected to be revisited include the Common Travel Area and relations with the EU.  The Council will also discuss the current political situation in Northern Ireland and the Taoiseach will reiterate his regret that Northern Ireland, until the Executive is restored, remains without political representation in this important forum.

Building on the shared goal of decarbonising our economies, Minister Bruton will also take part in a thematic discussion to our shared goal of decarbonising our economies.

A Communiqué will issue from the BIC at the conclusion of the Summit.

Following the Summit the Taoiseach will officially open the new ESB energy offices in Manchester, where he will attend Enterprise Ireland's First Business CEO Roundtable with Irish companies operating in the UK's Northern Powerhouse region.  He will also meet with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and visit the Sisk development at Circle Square, which is one of the largest building projects in central Manchester.

Notes to Editor:

The British-Irish Council was established under the Good Friday Agreement to develop and further links between its eight Member Administrations.  It provides an important forum for exchange of information and collaboration on policies of mutual interest and it helps to foster positive, practical relationships.