BRITISH IRISH PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY (BIPA) TO CONVENE VIRTUALLY FOR 60TH PLENARY

60TH PLENARY TO BE HELD ON MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2021

The British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) will convene virtually in Leinster House on Monday 22 February, for its 60th Plenary.

An Taoiseach, Mr. Micheál Martin, TD will give the opening address at the plenary, from the Dáil Chamber at 10.30am.   The theme of this plenary is 2021: Challenges and Changes. 

Additional guest speakers on the day include:

 

• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for European Neighbourhood and the Americas Wendy Morton MP
• Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Adrian O’Neill
• Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ireland, His Excellency Paul Johnston 
• Political historian, Dr. Eamon Phoenix
• Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive Officer Julie Sinnamon and;
• Dawn Farm Foods, Chief Executive Officer Larry Murrin

 

Speaking before the event, BIPA Irish Co-Chair Deputy Brendan Smith TD said: “The 60th plenary is taking place in the midst of a global pandemic and less than two months after the end of the Brexit transition period.  

“Against this backdrop, the work of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, in building and deepening bonds between our nations, is more important than ever. It’s very fitting that the plenary is taking place virtually, as we discuss the challenges and changes faced by citizens in 2021. We are delighted to welcome An Taoiseach and all of our speakers to the event.  The impact of the changed environment on citizens, trade, economic growth and global markets are among the topics we will discuss throughout the day.”

British Co-Chair Andrew Rosindell MP said: “I’m delighted that the Taoiseach will be speaking at the plenary and am looking forward to meeting colleagues at the 60th BIPA plenary on Monday. 

“With the UK now forging its own trade policy following Brexit and during a global pandemic BIPA’s role discussing issues of mutual concern and strengthening friendships between the UK, crown dependencies and Ireland has rarely been more important.  Building on relations with our closest neighbours and understanding each other’s perspectives is critical to the health of this community of nations.”

BIPA is formed of members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, Houses of Parliament, Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales, Northern Ireland Assembly, High Court of Tynwald (Isle of Man) and the States of Guernsey and Jersey. It meets twice a year to promote co-operation between political representatives in Britain and Ireland and build on the close relationships established in recent years. 

 

PROGRAMME:
BRITISH-IRISH PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY 60th PLENARY SESSION (Monday, 22 February) - Virtual Plenary 

Session 1: Introduction and opening address (10.15am to 10.30am) 

• Introduction by Co-Chairs.

OPENING ADDRESS: (10:30am to 10.50am) 

An Taoiseach, Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D. 

Session 2: Committees (10.50am to 11.05am) 

Committee reports updates. 

11.05am to 11.30am sanitization break

Session 3: (11.30am to 12.45pm) Impact of a changed environment 

His Excellency Adrian O’Neill, Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom, will address the Assembly 

His Excellency Paul Johnston, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ireland, will address the Assembly 

LUNCH BREAK (1pm to 2pm) 

Session 4: Minister of the UK Government (2pm to 2.10pm) 

Wendy Morton MP, Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 

Session 5: (2.10pm to 3.20pm) 

Commemorations – A decade of centenaries  

Dr. Eamon Phoenix: The Partition of Ireland and the Creation of Northern Ireland, 1900-22 

Questions and Answers 

3.20pm to 3.40pm sanitization break 

Session 6: (3.40pm to 4.40pm) 

Trade, economic growth and global markets in 2021 

Enterprise Ireland, Chief Executive Officer, Julie Sinnamon,

Dawn Farm Foods Chief Executive Officer Larry Murrin 

Closing remarks (4.40pm to 4.50pm)

 

Follow us on Twitter for updates: @BritishIrishPA

Note to editors: 

Accreditation. Media can join the event remotely via a Microsoft Teams link, either using the app or through an internet browser. Recording of the event on Teams is not permitted. Cameras must remain off and microphones muted.

 

Journalists seeking accreditation to join the event by Teams are asked to register interest by emailing Petrina Vousden and at pressoffice@oireachtas.ie  before 6pm tomorrow, Friday, 19 February. BIPA will require an email address for the Teams invite and contact phone number. 

 

The 60th Plenary of the British Irish Assembly will NOT be live streamed. 

 

Further information contact: 

Dublin: Petrina Vousden (+353) (0) 85 8745 295 petrina.vousden@oireachtas.ie

London: Tim West: +44 (0)7933 386 949 westtb@parliament.uk

 

About the Assembly:

The Assembly's mission is to promote co-operation between political representatives in Britain and Ireland for the benefit of the people they represent. BIPA’s membership includes representatives from the UK Parliament, the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Welsh Assembly, the High Court of Tynwald (Isle of Man) and the States of Guernsey and Jersey. 

View more about BIPA including its membership.