Tuesday 30 January 2024
Deputy Al Brouard, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, recently represented Guernsey at the British-Irish Council Drug and Alcohol Ministerial in Dublin.
The Ministerial meeting was hosted by Hildegarde Naughton, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy for the Government of Ireland. The British-Irish Council was established in 1998 and is a forum for its eight Member Administrations to exchange information, discuss, consult and use best endeavours to reach agreement and co-operation on policy areas of mutual interest.
Representatives from other Member Administrations were also in attendance, with discussions covering a wide range of topics including the approaches to reducing drug related deaths, reducing alcohol related harms through the use of financial policy measures and engagement with the voluntary and community sectors.
The British-Irish Council Forward Work Plan was also approved, with five key themes being identified for future collaboration and consultation. These include the involvement of people with lived experience in drug services; drug use and drug services for people in prison; and community action on alcohol.
Deputy Al Brouard said:
"These meetings provide a rich opportunity for learning from the experiences of Member Administrations, from both a policy level and front-line services. Officers in attendance were also able to meet with their counterparts from other Member Administrations to continue discussions on drug and alcohol policies. The Ministerial has provided invaluable opportunities for joint work and shared learning."
Deputy Brouard, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care is pictured at the Department of Health with:
- Hildegarde Naughton, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Government of Ireland
- Lynne Neale MS, Welsh Government
