Leaders from across the British Isles gathered in Wales on Friday, where Northern Irish representatives seized the opportunity to voice strong concerns directly to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about the UK government's recent budget.
Budget a 'Missed Opportunity' for Northern Ireland
The 44th British-Irish Council (BIC) Summit, hosted by the Welsh Government in the Vale of Glamorgan, brought together leaders from the UK, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Crown Dependencies. While the official agenda centred on the creative industries, Northern Ireland's leaders shifted focus to pressing financial and post-Brexit issues.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly stated she told the Prime Minister she believed the UK's budget was a 'missed opportunity' for the region. She highlighted specific omissions, including a pilot scheme for VAT reduction in Northern Ireland and unresolved problems with agricultural relief.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill echoed the sentiment, stating she had conveyed the 'anger' of families struggling with food bills directly to Sir Keir. 'We are not asking for special treatment,' Ms O'Neill emphasised, 'we are asking for what is right and proper.'
Urgent Calls to Extend Brexit Grace Periods
Beyond the budget, post-Brexit trade arrangements formed a critical part of the discussions. Ms Little-Pengelly pressed the Prime Minister to extend grace periods for new rules set to be enforced on 1 January 2025, particularly concerning veterinary medicines.
She warned that 'many, many pet owners' had received notifications that their animals' medicines would be withdrawn from the Northern Irish market. The Deputy First Minister also raised the impending end of the derogation for GB-registered new cars, arguing grace periods should be maintained while 'discussions with the EU are ongoing'.
Eurovision Boycott and Council's Founding Principles
The afternoon press conference also touched on Ireland's decision to withdraw from next year's Eurovision Song Contest. Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the move, following the European Broadcasting Union's decision to allow Israel to participate, as 'an act of solidarity' with journalists killed in Gaza.
While Ms O'Neill said the decision sent a 'strong message', Ms Little-Pengelly offered a contrasting view, stating that 'boycotting a singing competition is not going to make one jot of difference' to the Middle East situation.
The summit served as a key forum established under the Good Friday Agreement. The next meeting of the council is scheduled to be hosted by the Government of Guernsey in the summer of 2026.
