Institutional Meetings
In addition to Sectoral and Plenary formats, the NSMC also meets in Institutional format, with the Northern Ireland Executive represented by the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Irish Government represented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In this format, the NSMC considers institutional and cross-sectoral issues, including in relation to the EU, and endeavours to resolve disagreements and difficulties in the operations of the NSMC.
The Council has met four times in Institutional format
Fourth Institutional Meeting, Dublin - 28 April 2009
Third Institutional Meeting, Stormont Castle - 17 December 2007
Second Institutional Meeting, Dundalk - 30 October 2007
First Institutional Meeting, Parliament Buildings, Belfast - 17 December 2001