Tuesday 04 September 2012
Guernsey's Deputy Chief Minister and Jersey's Assistant Chief Minister visit Ireland to discuss EU issues.
Guernsey's Deputy Chief Minister, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, and Jersey's Assistant Chief Minister, Senator Philip Bailhache, are in Dublin today to meet with Ireland's Europe Minister and with the senior EU adviser to the Taoiseach. This is the first joint Ministerial contact programme to be undertaken by the Policy Council and the Council of Ministers during this current States term.
The Irish government assumes the EU Presidency in January 2013 for six months and is likely to oversee political consideration of a number of issues of importance to the Channel Islands.
Deputy Le Tocq commented:
"Ireland is a long-standing friend of Guernsey and the Channel Islands through the British-Irish Council. It is one of the EU Member States that has always defended the integrity of the European single market, striving to keep it open and outward looking. The purpose of the trip is to find out more about the priorities that the Irish government has for its Presidency - including of course the handling of the Eurozone crisis and seeking to stimulate growth and jobs. It will also be an opportunity to discuss particular dossiers in areas of interest to the Channel Islands like international co-operation, financial services, e-commerce, aviation, and data protection".
Senator Bailhache commented:
"Members of Jersey's Council of Ministers have met with members of Guernsey's Policy Council a number of times since May. We have all committed to a more joined-up Channel Islands approach on international relations - this is the first significant step in delivering on that commitment. I am delighted to be working on EU issues with Deputy Le Tocq. Working together we will be stronger."
Meetings will take place with Ireland's Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton; the Taoiseach's senior adviser on EU issues, Geraldine Byrne Nason; and the British Ambassador to Ireland, Dominick Chilcott.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. The EU Presidency changes every six months. Ireland assumes the Presidency on 1 January 2013, and holds the Presidency until 30 June 2013.
2. Guernsey and Jersey are members of the British-Irish Council established under the Good Friday Agreement.
Contacts
Guernsey Phil Henderson - 01481 717131
Jersey Sam Le Quesne - 01534 440429
