Taoiseach to host 24th British-Irish Council Summit

The 24 ^th  British-Irish Council Summit will be hosted by the Taoiseach in Dublin Castle today. The UK Government delegation will be led by Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond MP. The Northern Ireland Executive will be represented by the First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

The Scottish Government will be led by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Welsh Government by First Minister Carwyn Jones.  The Chief Ministers of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey are also attending the Summit.

The Council will discuss the continuing improving economic situation in Member Administrations, recognising the interdependence and links between their economies.

The Council will also discuss the misuse of alcohol, focusing on the economic and social implications of alcohol abuse and the various measures planned to tackle the problem of excessive alcohol consumption.

The Council will review the latest youth employment statistics across the Administrations and look forward to further progress being made in this important area.