Jump to content

North/South Ministerial Council: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Refs before Ext
Added east west council
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(26 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Organization}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| name = North/South Ministerial Council
| name = North/South Ministerial Council
| native_name = {{lang-ga|An Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas}}<br>{{lang-sco|North South Meinisterlie Council}}
| bgcolor = <!-- header background color -->
| bgcolor = <!-- header background color -->
| fgcolor = <!-- header text color -->
| fgcolor = <!-- header text color -->
Line 20: Line 22:
| formation = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|1999|12|13}} <!-- 13 December 1999 is the date of the first plenary meeting -->
| formation = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|1999|12|13}} <!-- 13 December 1999 is the date of the first plenary meeting -->
| extinction = <!-- date of extinction, optional -->
| extinction = <!-- date of extinction, optional -->
| type = [[Intergovernmental organization|IGO]]
| type = [[Intergovernmental organization|Intergovernmental organisation]]
| status = [[British-Irish Agreement]]
| status = [[British–Irish Agreement]]
| purpose = <!-- focus as e.g. humanitarian, peacekeeping, etc -->
| purpose = <!-- focus as e.g. humanitarian, peacekeeping, etc -->
| headquarters = [[Armagh]], Northern Ireland<sup>2</sup>
| headquarters = [[Armagh]], Northern Ireland<sup>2</sup>
Line 49: Line 51:
}}
}}


The '''North/South Ministerial Council''' ('''NSMC''') ({{lang-ga|An Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas}}, [[Ulster Scots dialects|Ulster-Scots]]: {{lang|sco|''North South Meinisterlie Council''}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/nsmc_annual_report_2011_ulster_scots.pdf|title=North-South Ministerial Council: 2011 Yeirlie Report|publisher=North/South Ministerial Council|location=Armagh|year=2012}} Note: The council has used a number of different translations since its inception. It was originally known as ''Tha Noarth-Sooth Cooncil o Männystèrs''.</ref> is a body established under the [[Good Friday Agreement]] to co-ordinate activity and exercise certain governmental powers across the whole island of [[Ireland]].
The '''North/South Ministerial Council''' ('''NSMC''') ({{lang-ga|An Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas}}, [[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster-Scots]]: {{lang|sco|North South Meinisterlie Council}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/nsmc_annual_report_2011_ulster_scots.pdf|title=North-South Ministerial Council: 2011 Yeirlie Report|publisher=North/South Ministerial Council|location=Armagh|year=2012|access-date=15 July 2012|archive-date=2 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902232802/http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/nsmc_annual_report_2011_ulster_scots.pdf|url-status=dead}} Note: The council has used a number of different translations since its inception. It was originally known as ''Tha Noarth-Sooth Cooncil o Männystèrs''.</ref> is a body established under the [[Good Friday Agreement]] to co-ordinate activity and exercise certain governmental powers across the whole island of [[Ireland]].


The Council takes the form of meetings between ministers from both [[Republic of Ireland]] and [[Northern Ireland]] and is responsible for twelve policy areas. Six of these areas are the responsibility of corresponding '''North/South Implementation Bodies'''. The body is based in the city of [[Armagh]].
The Council takes the form of meetings between ministers from both the [[Republic of Ireland]] and [[Northern Ireland]] and is responsible for twelve policy areas. Six of these areas are the responsibility of corresponding '''North/South Implementation Bodies'''. The body is based in the city of [[Armagh]] in Northern Ireland.


The North/South Ministerial Council and the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] are "mutually inter-dependent" institutions: one cannot exist without the other.<ref>{{citation|title=Peace Agreements and Human Rights|author=Christine Bell|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2003|page=141|quote=The agreement makes it clear that the North-South Ministerial Council and the Northern Ireland Assembly are 'mutually inter-dependent, and that one cannot successfully function without the other.' This interdependence is constructed so as to ensure that nationalists and unionists cannot 'cherrypick' the aspects of government which they particularly want to implement. Thus, unionists only get the Assembly and devolved power if they operate the cross-border mechanisms, and for nationalists the situation is reversed.}}</ref> When the Northern Ireland Assembly is suspended, responsibility for areas of co-operation fall to the [[British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference]].
The North/South Ministerial Council and the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] are "mutually inter-dependent" institutions: one cannot exist without the other.<ref>{{citation|title=Peace Agreements and Human Rights|author=Christine Bell|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2003|page=141|quote=The agreement makes it clear that the North-South Ministerial Council and the Northern Ireland Assembly are 'mutually inter-dependent, and that one cannot successfully function without the other.' This interdependence is constructed so as to ensure that nationalists and unionists cannot 'cherrypick' the aspects of government which they particularly want to implement. Thus, unionists only get the Assembly and devolved power if they operate the cross-border mechanisms, and for nationalists the situation is reversed.}}</ref> When the Northern Ireland Assembly is suspended, responsibility for areas of co-operation fall to the [[British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference]].
Line 57: Line 59:
==Organisation==
==Organisation==
{{Good Friday Agreement}}
{{Good Friday Agreement}}
The Ministerial Council consists of representatives of both the [[Northern Ireland Executive]] and the [[Irish Government|Government]] of Ireland. The Ministerial Council may meet in either a plenary or, more commonly, sectoral format. In a plenary meeting a Northern Ireland delegation is led by the [[First Minister of Northern Ireland|First Minister]] and [[Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland]] while the Republic's delegation is led by the [[Taoiseach]] and [[Tánaiste]] (prime minister and deputy prime minister).
The Ministerial Council consists of representatives of both the [[Northern Ireland Executive]] and the [[Government of Ireland]]. The Ministerial Council may meet in either a plenary or, more commonly, sectoral format. In a plenary meeting a Northern Ireland delegation is led by the [[First Minister of Northern Ireland|First Minister]] and [[deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland]] while the Republic's delegation is led by the [[Taoiseach]] and [[Tánaiste]].


A meeting in a sectoral format deals only with one particular policy area, and consists of the minister from Dublin with responsibility for the area under discussion, and two ministers from Northern Ireland (usually one [[British Unionism|unionist]] and one [[Irish Nationalism|nationalist]]), including the minister with the relevant competence.<ref name="pol_roi">{{citation|title=Politics in the Republic of Ireland|editor1=John Coakley|editor2=Michael Gallaghe|publisher=Routldge|location=Oxon|year=2010}}</ref> The Council is supported by a standing joint [[Secretariat (administrative office)|secretariat]], consisting of members of the civil services of both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
A meeting in a sectoral format deals only with one particular policy area, and consists of the minister from Dublin with responsibility for the area under discussion, and two ministers from Northern Ireland (usually one [[British Unionism|unionist]] and one [[Irish Nationalism|nationalist]]), including the minister with the relevant competence.<ref name="pol_roi">{{citation|title=Politics in the Republic of Ireland|editor1=John Coakley|editor2=Michael Gallagher |publisher=Routledge|location=Oxon|year=2010 |isbn=978-1138119451}}</ref> The council is supported by a standing joint [[Secretariat (administrative office)|secretariat]], consisting of members of the civil services of both Northern Ireland and the Republic.


The Council also has occasional meetings in an "institutional" format to consider other business and technical matters, such as appointments to boards.<ref name="pol_roi" />
The council also has occasional meetings in an "institutional" format to consider other business and technical matters, such as appointments to boards.<ref name="pol_roi" />


==Areas for co-operation==
==Areas for co-operation==


The Council is responsible for twelve "areas for co-operation". Six of these are in areas where co-operation must be agreed together but implemented separately in each jurisdiction. Six more are in areas where co-operation is agreed together and implemented through shared all-Ireland "implementation bodies".
The council is responsible for twelve "areas for co-operation". Six of these are in areas where co-operation must be agreed together but implemented separately in each jurisdiction. Six more are in areas where co-operation is agreed together and implemented through shared all-Ireland "implementation bodies".


Areas for co-operation where implementation is carried out separately:
Areas for co-operation where implementation is carried out separately:
Line 81: Line 83:
* [[Food Safety Promotion Board]]: Food safety awareness.
* [[Food Safety Promotion Board]]: Food safety awareness.
* [[Special European Union Programmes Body]]: Management and oversight of EU programmes and common chapters of the [[National Development Plan]] ([[Republic of Ireland]]) and the [[Northern Ireland Structural Funds Plan]].
* [[Special European Union Programmes Body]]: Management and oversight of EU programmes and common chapters of the [[National Development Plan]] ([[Republic of Ireland]]) and the [[Northern Ireland Structural Funds Plan]].
* [[The North/South Language Body]]: Promotion of the [[Irish language|Irish]] and [[Ulster Scots language|Ulster Scots]] languages through two separate agencies, [[Foras na Gaeilge]] (Irish) and [[Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch]] (Ulster Scots).
* [[The North/South Language Body]]: Promotion of the [[Irish language|Irish]] and [[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster Scots]] languages through two separate agencies, [[Foras na Gaeilge]] (Irish) and [[Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch]] (Ulster Scots).
* [[InterTradeIreland|Inter''Trade''Ireland]]: Northern Ireland-Republic of Ireland trade and business development.
* [[InterTradeIreland|Inter''Trade''Ireland]]: all-Ireland trade and business development.
* Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission: The management and development of [[Lough Foyle]] and [[Carlingford Lough]] and [[lighthouses|coastal lights]] through two separate agencies, [[The Loughs Agency]] and [[Lights Agency]]
* [[Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission]]: The management and development of [[Lough Foyle]] and [[Carlingford Lough]] and [[lighthouses|coastal lights]] through two separate agencies, [[The Loughs Agency]] and [[Lights Agency]]


In addition to these bodies, [[Tourism Ireland]], is a ''de facto'' seventh implementation body.<ref name="pol_roi" /> Additional areas for co-operation may be added by agreement among the Council and with the endorsement of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Oireachtas.
Additional areas for co-operation may be added by agreement among the council and with the endorsement of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Oireachtas.


Originally, a new jointly owned agency, Lights Agency, was intended to replace the [[Commissioners of Irish Lights]], which is funded from the UK [[Department for Transport]]-managed General Lighthouse Fund to provide coastal [[Aid to navigation|aids to navigation]] throughout the island of Ireland. However, complexities arising from the transfer of functions have meant that this has had to be reconsidered.
Originally, a new jointly owned agency, Lights Agency, was intended to replace the [[Commissioners of Irish Lights]], which is funded from the UK [[Department for Transport]]-managed General Lighthouse Fund to provide coastal [[Aid to navigation|aids to navigation]] throughout the island of Ireland. However, complexities arising from the transfer of functions have meant that this has had to be reconsidered.
Line 91: Line 93:
==Operation==
==Operation==


Twenty-five plenary meetings were held between 1999 and 2015: one each year from 1999 to 2002, and 2007 to 2008; and on average two each year thereafter. Meetings alternate between north and south, usually in Armagh and Dublin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/content/plenary-meetings|title=Plenary Meetings|publisher=North South Ministerial Council|accessdate=14 June 2016}}</ref> Sectoral meetings occur more frequently at various locations.
Twenty-one plenary meetings were held between 1999 and 2015: one each year from 1999 to 2002, and 2007 to 2008; and on average two each year thereafter. Meetings alternate between north and south, usually in Armagh and Dublin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/content/plenary-meetings|title=Plenary Meetings|date=December 2015 |publisher=North South Ministerial Council|access-date=14 June 2016|archive-date=15 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815071246/https://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/content/plenary-meetings|url-status=live}}</ref> Sectoral meetings occur more frequently at various locations.


The level of co-operation differs across areas. For example, co-operation on tourism proceeded very rapidly (creating Tourism Ireland in 2000). On the other hand, there was initially little co-operation in the area of transport. At first because of resistance from the relevant minister in Northern Ireland and later because, after the restoration of the Council following suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, because the British and Irish governments had already done much of the work during a period of [[direct rule]].<ref name="pol_roi" />
The level of co-operation differs across areas. For example, co-operation on tourism proceeded very rapidly (creating Tourism Ireland in 2000). On the other hand, there was initially little co-operation in the area of transport. At first because of resistance from the relevant minister in Northern Ireland and later because, after the restoration of the Council following suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, because the British and Irish governments had already done much of the work during a period of [[Direct rule over Northern Ireland|direct rule]].<ref name="pol_roi" />


In 2007, the joint secretariat number 25 personnel, comprising 10 from Ireland and 15 from Northern Ireland. In 2010, the secretariat took up new, permanent office in Armagh. Budgets, staff numbers and headquarters for the six implementation bodies (including Tourism Ireland) in 2008 were as follows:<ref name="pol_roi" />
In 2007, the joint secretariat number 25 personnel, comprising 10 from Ireland and 15 from Northern Ireland. In 2010, the secretariat took up new, permanent office in Armagh. Budgets, staff numbers and headquarters for the six implementation bodies (including Tourism Ireland) in 2008 were as follows:<ref name="pol_roi" />
Line 111: Line 113:
| [[The North/South Language Body]] || style="text-align:center;" | [[Dublin]] and Belfast || style="text-align:center;" | 69 || style="text-align:center;" | €25.7
| [[The North/South Language Body]] || style="text-align:center;" | [[Dublin]] and Belfast || style="text-align:center;" | 69 || style="text-align:center;" | €25.7
|-
|-
| Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission || style="text-align:center;" | [[Derry]] and Carlingford || style="text-align:center;" | 47 || style="text-align:center;" | €8.5
| [[Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission]] || style="text-align:center;" | [[Derry]] and Carlingford || style="text-align:center;" | 47 || style="text-align:center;" | €8.5
|-
|-
| [[Tourism Ireland]] || style="text-align:center;" | Dublin and [[Coleraine]] || style="text-align:center;" | 160 || style="text-align:center;" | €78.6
| [[Tourism Ireland]] || style="text-align:center;" | Dublin and [[Coleraine]] || style="text-align:center;" | 160 || style="text-align:center;" | €78.6
Line 122: Line 124:
*[[British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference]]
*[[British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference]]
*[[British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly]]
*[[British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly]]
*[[East–West Council]]
*[[Joint Ministerial Committee (UK)]]
*[[Northern Ireland Assembly]]
*[[Northern Ireland Assembly]]
*[[North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association]]
*[[North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association]]
Line 131: Line 135:
*[http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/ North/South Ministerial Council] official website
*[http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/ North/South Ministerial Council] official website


{{navboxes|
⚫
{{british Isles}}
|title=Articles related to the North/South Ministerial Council
|list=
⚫
{{british Isles|state=collapsed}}
{{British-Irish Council|state=collapsed}}
{{Languages of Ireland|state=collapsed}}
{{Languages of the United Kingdom|state=collapsed}}
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:North South Ministerial Council}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:North South Ministerial Council}}
Line 142: Line 153:
[[Category:All-Ireland organisations]]
[[Category:All-Ireland organisations]]
[[Category:Politics of Ireland]]
[[Category:Politics of Ireland]]
[[Category:British–Irish Agreement implementation bodies|*]]

Latest revision as of 12:47, 12 June 2024

North/South Ministerial Council
Irish: An Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas
Scots: North South Meinisterlie Council
AbbreviationNSMC
Formation13 December 1999; 24 years ago (1999-12-13)
TypIntergovernmental organisation
Legal statusBritish–Irish Agreement
HauptsitzArmagh, Northern Ireland2
Coordinates54°21′00″N 6°39′20″W / 54.350036°N 6.655606°W / 54.350036; -6.655606
Region served
Irland
Websitewww.northsouthministerialcouncil.org
Remarks2 This is the location of the standing Joint Secretariat of the North/South Ministerial Council.

The North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) (Irish: An Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas, Ulster-Scots: North South Meinisterlie Council)[1] is a body established under the Good Friday Agreement to co-ordinate activity and exercise certain governmental powers across the whole island of Ireland.

The Council takes the form of meetings between ministers from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and is responsible for twelve policy areas. Six of these areas are the responsibility of corresponding North/South Implementation Bodies. The body is based in the city of Armagh in Northern Ireland.

The North/South Ministerial Council and the Northern Ireland Assembly are "mutually inter-dependent" institutions: one cannot exist without the other.[2] When the Northern Ireland Assembly is suspended, responsibility for areas of co-operation fall to the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.

Organisation

[edit]
Good Friday Agreement
Strand 1
Strand 2
Strand 3
Additional bodies

The Ministerial Council consists of representatives of both the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government of Ireland. The Ministerial Council may meet in either a plenary or, more commonly, sectoral format. In a plenary meeting a Northern Ireland delegation is led by the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland while the Republic's delegation is led by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.

A meeting in a sectoral format deals only with one particular policy area, and consists of the minister from Dublin with responsibility for the area under discussion, and two ministers from Northern Ireland (usually one unionist and one nationalist), including the minister with the relevant competence.[3] The council is supported by a standing joint secretariat, consisting of members of the civil services of both Northern Ireland and the Republic.

The council also has occasional meetings in an "institutional" format to consider other business and technical matters, such as appointments to boards.[3]

Areas for co-operation

[edit]

The council is responsible for twelve "areas for co-operation". Six of these are in areas where co-operation must be agreed together but implemented separately in each jurisdiction. Six more are in areas where co-operation is agreed together and implemented through shared all-Ireland "implementation bodies".

Areas for co-operation where implementation is carried out separately:

  • Agriculture: Common Agricultural Policy issues, animal and plant health, agricultural research and rural development.
  • Education: Education for children with special needs, educational under-achievement, teacher qualifications and school, youth and teacher exchanges.
  • Environment: Environmental protection, pollution, water-quality management and waste management.
  • Health: Accident and emergency planning, co-operation on high-technology equipment, cancer research and health promotion.
  • Tourism: The promotion of the island of Ireland as a tourist destination for overseas visitors via the establishment of a new company, known as Tourism Ireland.
  • Transport: Co-operation on strategic transport planning including road and rail infrastructure and public transport services and road and rail safety.

The six all-Ireland implementation bodies are:

Additional areas for co-operation may be added by agreement among the council and with the endorsement of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Oireachtas.

Originally, a new jointly owned agency, Lights Agency, was intended to replace the Commissioners of Irish Lights, which is funded from the UK Department for Transport-managed General Lighthouse Fund to provide coastal aids to navigation throughout the island of Ireland. However, complexities arising from the transfer of functions have meant that this has had to be reconsidered.

Operation

[edit]

Twenty-one plenary meetings were held between 1999 and 2015: one each year from 1999 to 2002, and 2007 to 2008; and on average two each year thereafter. Meetings alternate between north and south, usually in Armagh and Dublin.[4] Sectoral meetings occur more frequently at various locations.

The level of co-operation differs across areas. For example, co-operation on tourism proceeded very rapidly (creating Tourism Ireland in 2000). On the other hand, there was initially little co-operation in the area of transport. At first because of resistance from the relevant minister in Northern Ireland and later because, after the restoration of the Council following suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, because the British and Irish governments had already done much of the work during a period of direct rule.[3]

In 2007, the joint secretariat number 25 personnel, comprising 10 from Ireland and 15 from Northern Ireland. In 2010, the secretariat took up new, permanent office in Armagh. Budgets, staff numbers and headquarters for the six implementation bodies (including Tourism Ireland) in 2008 were as follows:[3]

Implementation body Standort Staff Budget (millions)
Waterways Ireland Enniskillen 345 €50.9
Food Safety Promotion Board Cork 27 €10.2
Special European Union Programmes Body Belfast 66 €4.6
InterTradeIreland Newry 44 €17.1
The North/South Language Body Dublin and Belfast 69 €25.7
Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission Derry and Carlingford 47 €8.5
Tourism Ireland Dublin and Coleraine 160 €78.6
    758 €195.6

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "North-South Ministerial Council: 2011 Yeirlie Report" (PDF). Armagh: North/South Ministerial Council. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2012. Note: The council has used a number of different translations since its inception. It was originally known as Tha Noarth-Sooth Cooncil o Männystèrs.
  2. ^ Christine Bell (2003), Peace Agreements and Human Rights, Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 141, The agreement makes it clear that the North-South Ministerial Council and the Northern Ireland Assembly are 'mutually inter-dependent, and that one cannot successfully function without the other.' This interdependence is constructed so as to ensure that nationalists and unionists cannot 'cherrypick' the aspects of government which they particularly want to implement. Thus, unionists only get the Assembly and devolved power if they operate the cross-border mechanisms, and for nationalists the situation is reversed.
  3. ^ a b c d John Coakley; Michael Gallagher, eds. (2010), Politics in the Republic of Ireland, Oxon: Routledge, ISBN 978-1138119451
  4. ^ "Plenary Meetings". North South Ministerial Council. December 2015. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=North/South_Ministerial_Council&oldid=1228656351"