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| Morgan hosts British-Irish summit | Morgan hosts British-Irish summit |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan is hosting a top-level summit of British and Irish ministers in Cardiff - the first in Wales for six years. | Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan is hosting a top-level summit of British and Irish ministers in Cardiff - the first in Wales for six years. |
| Ministers at the British-Irish Council are due to discuss social inclusion and the economic downturn. | Ministers at the British-Irish Council are due to discuss social inclusion and the economic downturn. |
| The council meets at least once a year and was created following the Good Friday agreement 12 years ago. | The council meets at least once a year and was created following the Good Friday agreement 12 years ago. |
| But some commentators have argued its role is more significant for its symbolism than for its actions. | But some commentators have argued its role is more significant for its symbolism than for its actions. |
| Others due to attend include Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, the Irish Taoiseach, or prime minister, Brian Cowan, Wales' Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, Secretary of State for Wales Paul Murphy - who is representing the UK government - and representatives from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. | |
| Last year's council meeting in Edinburgh was hosted by Mr Salmond and discussed population changes and energy issues. | Last year's council meeting in Edinburgh was hosted by Mr Salmond and discussed population changes and energy issues. |
| The council is meant to give a forum for members to exchange information with a view to co-operating on issues of mutual interest. | The council is meant to give a forum for members to exchange information with a view to co-operating on issues of mutual interest. |
| Its creation was viewed as offering reassurance to unionists who were concerned by the extent of any ties between Belfast and Dublin. | Its creation was viewed as offering reassurance to unionists who were concerned by the extent of any ties between Belfast and Dublin. |
| "The British-Irish Council has been trying to carve out a role and it's not entirely clear what that role is," said Alan Trench a research fellow at the Europa Institute, University of Edinburgh. | "The British-Irish Council has been trying to carve out a role and it's not entirely clear what that role is," said Alan Trench a research fellow at the Europa Institute, University of Edinburgh. |
| Mr Trench said major decisions were more likely to be taken in one-to-one meetings between ministers and officials, rather than at the council. | Mr Trench said major decisions were more likely to be taken in one-to-one meetings between ministers and officials, rather than at the council. |
| "Since 1999 we have seen a preference for bilateral relations between ministers and officials," he said. | "Since 1999 we have seen a preference for bilateral relations between ministers and officials," he said. |
| "This is a case where the symbolism of the council is actually very important." | "This is a case where the symbolism of the council is actually very important." |
| Themes for past conferences have been how to tackle drug abuse problems and transport issues. | Themes for past conferences have been how to tackle drug abuse problems and transport issues. |
| The council is meeting at the Swalec stadium in Cardiff. | The council is meeting at the Swalec stadium in Cardiff. |