British-Irish Council: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The British–Irish Council (sometimes known as the Council of the Isles) is a body created by the Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement). Its membership includes representatives from throughout the 'British Isles'. Its stated aim is to "promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands". Its participants are the:

• Government of the United Kingdom
• Government of the Republic of Ireland
• Northern Ireland Executive
• Scottish Executive
• National Assembly for Wales
• Bailiwick of Guernsey
• Bailiwick of Jersey
• Isle of Man

The council meets in two formats. Heads of government meet in two British–Irish council summits per year. Additionally, there are regular meetings that deal with specific sectors of discussion and are attended by the appropriate ministers.

Among other topics of mutual interest, members focus on:

• Misuse of Drugs
• Environment
• Knowledge Economy
• Social Inclusion
• Telemedicine
• Tourism
• Transport
• Minority and Lesser-Used Languages
  • Welsh language
  • Manx language
  • Scottish Gaelic language
  • Irish language
  • Dgèrnésiais
  • Jèrriais
  • Ulster Scots language