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McGuinness marks 10th anniversary of North South Ministerial Council

Thursday, 3 December 2009

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA participated in a special event in Armagh this evening on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the North South Ministerial Council.

The event was organised jointly by the Royal Irish Academy, Armagh City and District Council and the Joint Secretaries of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).

Mr McGuinness told the audience: “ All island co-operation through the NSMC has never been more important than during the difficult economic climate that we face at this present time.

“So much has been achieved in the ten years since the North South Ministerial Council was established. There has been a clear focus on co-operation and the delivery of real benefits, including on infrastructure, trade and business, tourism, education and in tackling major issues that confront such as child protection, suicide prevention, barriers to mobility, the environment and transport.”

The anniversary was marked with a lecture given by Sir George Quigley before an invited audience on the subject of “Ireland 2020”, followed by a response from Mr Noel Dorr, a former Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin.

Notes to editors:

  1. The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) was established on 2 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).
  2. 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.
  3. All media enquiries to OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9052 1375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.