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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Morgan hosts British-Irish summit | Morgan hosts British-Irish summit |
| (about 7 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 at the summit included Scottish First Minister Alex Salmon, the Irish Taoiseach, or prime minister, Brian Cowan, Wales' deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, Welsh secretary Paul Murphy - who is representing the UK government - and Northern Ireland deputy first minister Martin McGuinness. | |
| Representatives from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man were also in attendance. | |
| Last year's council meeting in Edinburgh was hosted by Mr Salmon 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. |