Michael says new Council will not be a talking shop. ISLES: Optimistic beginning
From WESTERN MAIL December 18th, 1999
By Nick Speed
THE Council of the Isles has the potential to be much more than a talking
shop according to politicians from all corners of the British Isles. At
yesterday's historic first meeting of the British-Irish Council, as this
new forum of the UK and Irish Governments and the devolved assemblies is
officially known, talk inevitably centred on its future role. And, taking
his turn at the Lancaster House podium, Wales's First Secretary said he
had long believed there was a need for such a body - set up as a result
of the Northern Ireland peace process. Alun Michael said that while devolution
had been an important part of the Government's programme to modernise Britain,
it was vital that the various regions still co-operated on matters of common
interest. "This council has the potential to forge links between us on matters that affect us all, and to promote close and harmonious relationships across these islands. We must not retreat to our own corner of these islands and engage in futile attempts to go it alone. That would be impractical in an age of economic globalisation and closer European integration and it would be undesirable in any age. Devolution must become outward-looking and dynamic."
And rejecting the notion that Bic's planned twice-yearly summits will be little more than talking shops, Mr Michael added, "Successful democratic institutions are ones that talk and then do." Opening what was largely a ceremonial affair to set the agenda for future meetings, the Prime Minister
said Bic's formation represented a significant step towards the normalisation
of politics affecting Northern Ireland and would be a foundation for a more
peaceful future for the whole British Isles. Tony Blair believed the body
provided an opportunity to "deepen the ties between our distinct regions."
After the meeting, Mr Michael - who was accompanied to London by Finance
Secretary Edwina Hart and Business Manager Andrew Davies - set out how Wales
would be contributing to Bic's next meeting. Along with the Scottish Executive,
the National Assembly will take the lead on social inclusion issues. Working
with Scotland's First Minister Donald Dewar, Mr Michael will compile a report
analysing the problem and looking for best examples of how it's being tackled
for presentation at Bic's next meeting. That will be held in the Irish Republic's
capital of Dublin next June. Despite the fact that all the other members
of the council will also be involved in putting together reports on issues
of common interest for that date, Mr Michael did not appear concerned that
the summits would fast spiral out of control. "You can say a lot in a short time if people are allowed to get on with it," he said. As well being left
"enthused" by the formal round-the-table element to yesterday's inaugural
meeting, Mr Michael said more the informal meetings around its margins had
proved useful. He believed that Wales could gain from a dialogue with each
and every one of Bic's members, not least the Channel Islands and the Isle
of Man. "There are things like tourism and transport links where we can learn from the Channel Islands," he said. The Jersey delegation came to
the table offering to put their expertise on e-commerce and information
technology into the bigger pool. The Welsh representatives offered "a warm invitation" to the council to visit Wales, as did other members including
Scotland and Jersey. |
