15 November 2019

The First Minister has led a Scottish delegation to Dublin for the 33rd Summit meeting of the British-Irish Council.

The Cabinet Secretary for Constitutional Relations, Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs and Minister for Public Health also attended to mark the 20-year anniversary of the British-Irish Council.

The main discussion topic at the Summit was tackling the misuse of drugs and included a presentation from the Irish Government about their work to transform the delivery of health services for drug users in Dublin.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

The British-Irish Council has always played a significant role in intergovernmental relations but never more so than now against the backdrop of the ongoing uncertainty around Brexit.

The Summit will provide an opportunity to discuss the best way to tackle shared issues which affect all member administrations, this time focusing on how we deal with substance misuse and reduce the serious harm caused by drugs.”

The First Minister also held several bilateral meetings including with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford.

An Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar meeting with the First Minister of Scotland, @NicolaSturgeon where they will have bilateral discussions ahead of the British Irish Council (BIC) Summit at Farmleigh House. #BICDublin pic.twitter.com/P0XiUpkvPz

— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) November 15, 2019

Read the full communiqué at the British-Irish Council website.