Taoiseach
Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Mary Harney at the opening session of the
North-South Ministerial Council, Armagh 13 December 1999 |
The
Council meets in plenary format twice a year with Northern Ireland represented
by the First and Deputy First Minister and relevant ministers and the Irish
government by the Taoiseach and relevant ministers. Smaller groups meet
on a "regular and frequent" basis to discuss specific cross-border
issues with each side represented by the appropriate minister. The Council
can also meet to resolve disagreements and discuss common issues and concerns.
Agendas for all meetings are settled by prior agreement.
Both
sides must abide by "the rules for democratic authority and accountability
in force in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Oireachtas respectively".
The Agreement obliges all relevant government ministers in the Assembly
and Oireachtas to participate in the Council. If a minister refuses to
participate then it is up to the Taoiseach in the case of the Irish government
and the First and Deputy First Minster in the case of the Assembly to
make alternative arrangements.
Government
ministers have considerable discretion but they remain accountable to
their legislatures, the Assembly and the Oireachtas respectively. The
First and Deputy First Minister have a duty to ensure "cross-community
participation" on the Council.
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