British-Irish Council

Ministerial Meeting of the Transport Sectoral Group,

9 February 2006

Communiqué

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Shaun Woodward MP, chaired a meeting of the British-Irish Council Transport Ministers in Belfast today.  Ministers reviewed progress to date on the Group’s work programme which included an exchange of letters between the UK and Irish Ministers on a proposed bilateral agreement on the mutual recognition of driving disqualifications. 

It was agreed that over the coming year work would also be taken forward on a number of other important issues including the treatment of lesser road traffic infringements and research into the issues surrounding drugs and driving.  Ministers also agreed that Member Administrations should actively seek to work together on promoting sustainable transport.  Ministers also highlighted the continuing value of the Council as a unique forum which has provided members with the opportunity to work together and enhance co-operation in a tangible and practical manner.

The British-Irish Council was established under the Strand Three Provisions of the Good Friday Agreement as a forum for its Members to exchange information, discuss, consult and use best endeavours to reach agreement on co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of relevant Member Administrations. Northern Ireland is the lead administration within the Council on the issue of Transport. 

The British Government was represented by Minister for Transport, Dr. Stephen Ladyman MP; Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Lord Rooker and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Shaun Woodward MP who chaired the meeting.  Mr Martin Cullen T.D., Minister of Transport, represented the Irish Government.  Minister of Transport, Mr Robert Braidwood, represented the Government of the Isle of Man and Deputy Guy de Faye, Minister for Transport and Technical Services, represented Jersey.  Mr Andrew Davies, Minister for Economic Development and Transport represented the Welsh Assembly Government and Mr John Ewing, Head of Transport Group, represented the Scottish Executive.

A full list of delegation members is attached.

A series of meetings attended by officials and experts from all BIC Members has taken place over the last number of years during which valuable networks of contacts have been developed.  The meetings have provided opportunities for those involved in the relevant area of work to discuss ideas and explore different approaches to the subject under discussion. 

Ministers agreed that these meetings had provided a very useful forum for sharing, in a focussed and practical manner, the detailed expertise and knowledge, which is held across the British-Irish Council region.  It was also noted that, in addition to exploring specific themes in depth, meetings had facilitated the exchange of information and best practice on general developments in the area of transport. 

Today’s meeting in Belfast was the second time that Ministers with responsibility in this area have come together to evaluate progress and consider future work.   Ministers last met in Belfast in December 2000, when a future work programme was agreed.  Today’s Ministerial allowed Members to review progress on the work programme to date.

Reciprocal recognition of driving disqualifications already exists between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man and officials are now working towards introducing a bilateral agreement between the UK and Ireland later this year, which could then be extended to the other BIC Administrations. The proposed agreement would allow the relevant Administrations to recognise and take action on driving disqualifications occurring in the other jurisdiction.

While mutual recognition of driving disqualifications will tackle the most serious motoring offences other road traffic infringements are being committed which fall short of disqualification but which may nevertheless in themselves be serious offences.  Recognising the potential benefits, Ministers agreed that officials should examine the prospects for greater co-operation in the treatment of such lesser road traffic infringements and, in particular, the mutual recognition of such offences.  Ministers asked officials to report back to them by the end of May, with a view to undertaking a study of the practical feasibility of cooperation on lesser road traffic infringements.

Ministers today were also pleased to agree an important new programme of work for the period ahead.  Building on the experience gained to date, the focus for the coming programme will be on a number of identified issues of common concern. 

Ministers agreed that officials should examine the area of Accessible Transport within and between BIC administrations, sharing best practice and seeking opportunities to reduce the barriers that restrict travel opportunities for older people and people with disabilities.

Ministers noted progress in the area of Drugs and Driving and agreed that officials should continue to share knowledge and experience in this field.  Department for Transport will be hosting a meeting of BIC officials in London on 16 and 17 February to consider drugs, medicines and alcohol research and the outcomes of campaigns to address these issues.

Ministers agreed that officials should actively seek to work together to Promote Sustainable Travel.  A group is to be set up at official level to agree what areas would be suitable for joint working and to develop a work programme.

Further meetings between BIC officials will also seek to strengthen and consolidate the ongoing co-operation and the exchange of information, experience and best practice between Members. 

British-Irish Council (Transport Sectoral Group)

9 February 2006
 

List of Delegates

British Government

Dr. Stephen Ladyman MP, Minister for Transport

Lord Rooker,   Minister of State for Northern Ireland

Mr. Shaun Woodward MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Mr. Gerry McGinn, Permanent Secretary, Department for Regional Development

Mr. Stephen Peover, Permanent Secretary, Department of the Environment

Mrs. Doreen Brown, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Department for Regional Development

Mrs. Cynthia Smith, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Department of the Environment

Mr. Donald Armstrong, Department of the Environment

Miss Pauline Morgan, Department for Transport

Irish Government

Mr. Martin Cullen T.D., Minister of Transport

Mr. Liam Dolan, Department of Transport

Isle of Man

Hon. Phil Braidwood B Eng MHK, Minister of Transport

Captain Andrew Douglas MHK, Department of Transport

Mr. Bruce Hannay, Director of Highways, Department of Transport

Jersey

Deputy Guy de Faye, Minister for Transport and Technical Services

Mr. Alan Muir, Transport and Technical Services Department

Scottish Executive

Mr. John Ewing, Head of Transport Group, Scottish Executive Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning.

Assembly of Wales

Mr. Andrew Davies, Minister for Economic Development and Transport

Mr. Martin Stevenson, Transport Wales