FCILC JC 9 February 2000

1. A meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in Sectoral format was held on Wednesday 9 February 2000. The meeting dealt with issues relating to the Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) which is one of the six North/South Implementation Bodies.

2. The Northern Ireland Executive Committee Delegation comprised Mrs Brid Rodgers MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Mr Dermot Nesbitt MLA, Minister in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. The Irish Government was represented by Mr Frank Fahey, T.D., Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.

3. Both sides recognised the significance of the meeting as the first Sectoral meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council on Aquaculture and Marine Matters. They agreed that the Commission would have an important role to play in enhancing cooperation between North and South in promoting the development of Lough and Carlingford Lough and other significant related issues.

4. The Interim Chief Executive of the Loughs Agency of the Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, Mr Derick Anderson, made an initial oral report to the Council. The Chief Executive's indicated that the functions of the Fisheries Commission to conserve, protect and improve the fisheries of the area had been fully transferred to the new Body and that work was well underway to extend this to the Carlingford Area and to undertake the new responsibilities for shell fisheries and aquaculture and for the development of marine tourism. He indicated that the inaugural meeting of the Board of the Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission would be considering this transfer and progressing a work programme for the new Body. The Council noted the current position. The Council referred to the fact that the Commission was holding its inaugural meeting the same afternoon and looked forward to working closely with the Commission.

5. The Council considered and noted a report on progress to date in bringing forward the fisheries legislation required under the Agreement establishing the

6. Implementation Bodies between the UK and Irish Governments. The Council noted that the legislative proposals will be finalised jointly in the near future and will be brought forward to the North/South Ministerial Council for the necessary consultation with a view to final settlement, publication and introduction of the respective Bills at the earliest possible date.

7. The Council considered and noted a report on progress to date on the transfer of the Lights functions of the Commissioners of Irish Lights to the Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission.

8. The Council asked the Board of the Commission to bring forward proposals to set up mechanisms for consultation with and Carlingford fisheries and other interest groups.

9. The Council approved a paper setting out a number of key issues to be pursued by the Board of the Commission before the next North/South Ministerial Council Sectoral meeting. These issues included the appointment procedures for a Chief Executive for the Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission; proposals for a mission statement and corporate plan; proposals relating to staffing; a draft code of conduct for Board members and staff of the Commission; and a proposed programme of work.

10. The Council agreed to meet approximately quarterly. Further meetings this year are likely to take place in May, September and December.

11. The Council agreed to meet again in this Sectoral format in the South in May 2000.

Joint Secretariat

9 February 2000