Joe McHugh pays tribute to Lord Cope of Berkeley

The Co-Chairman of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly*, Joe McHugh TD, has paid tribute to his British counterpart, Lord Cope Of Berkeley, who has announced that he is stepping down as C-Chairman of the Assembly.

Deputy McHugh said that Lord Cope had made an invaluable contribution to the work of the Assembly, particularly in the last 18 months when he served as Co-Chair.

Deputy McHugh commented, "John Cope has been an excellent colleague in recent times. Having served as an NIO Minister in Northern Ireland, he has an understanding of the importance of Anglo-Irish relations and of the unique relationship that exists between Britain and Ireland.

"Over the course of this plenary in Brighton, in particular, he has been to the fore in setting an active agenda and programme of work for the Assembly, especially in regard to our committees, for the coming years.

"I wish him all the very best for the future and look forward to him continuing to make a contribution to the work of this Assembly in the future."

ENDS