In nearly three years, ministers from both sides of the Irish border are to gather for the first session of the North South Ministerial Council. This assembly will serve as the finale of Leo Varadkar’s political commitments in his role as Taoiseach. The meeting is scheduled in Armagh, shortly before Varadkar’s official resignation during his appointment with President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin on Monday evening.
Simon Harris, Varadkar’s successor as Fine Gael leader, will also grace the council, marking one of his last tasks as Minister for Higher Education before his probable election as taoiseach in the Dáil on Tuesday.
Established under the Good Friday Agreement, the council serves as the leading north-south political institution. It could not operate during the two-year political deadlock at Stormont, but its functionality was restored earlier this year following the reestablishment of devolution. The most recent meeting was a digital convention held amid the Covid pandemic in 2021, while the last physical gathering was in July 2020.
Presiding over the Assembly in Armagh will be Stormont First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly. It is expected that the main points of discussion will be trade, business matters, and investment in areas of common concern.
Varadkar expressed his pride to conclude his term as Taoiseach by participating in the council. He believes the meeting symbolises an essential and optimistic moment for Ireland, and an honour to head the Irish delegation to engage with their Northern Ireland Executive counterparts in his concluding pivotal involvement as Taoiseach.
Addressing shared worldwide challenges such as climate change, energy security, employment quality, and workforce skill development underscores the council’s agenda. Varadkar also intends to extend his good wishes to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister for their efforts towards achieving the common welfare of Northern Ireland’s inhabitants.
He reiterated his commitment to cooperate with the Executive to foster and extend the peace and prosperity witnessed over the past years, ensuring its mutual benefit for all. – PA