Question reference: S4W-01341
- Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 27 June 2011
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 28 June 2011
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the British-Irish Council Summit.
Answer
On 20 June 2011, the First Minister, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth and I represented the Scottish Government at the 16th Summit of the British-Irish Council in London. The summit was attended by all eight member administrations and was hosted by the UK Government.
The meeting began with a significant discussion on economic growth where the First Minister made the case for flexibility particularly in relation to capital expenditure and for the fiscal levers necessary to help economic recovery in Scotland. The Council acknowledged the challenging economic circumstances facing its members and considered how member administrations could continue to learn from each others successes.
The Council then welcomed a paper on an all islands approach to energy resources and had a very positive discussion about greater cooperation on renewables and improving connection and transmission between member administrations and other European nations, including developing the North Sea grid.
Member administrations discussed the establishment of the Standing Secretariat; the headquarters of which are due to be located in Edinburgh. The Council agreed to a target start date of 1 January 2012, subject to final details and related issues being agreed.
I am placing a copy of the Summit Communiqué agreed by the British Irish Council in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. (Bib. number 53002).