NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
THE BRITISH IRISH COUNCIL GOING NOWHERE FAST!
The Celtic League has written to the Irish government asking what advantages have accrued from its lead role on the British Irish Council (BIC) in tackling the area of misuse of drugs.
We have pointed out that drug abuse in every member area of the BIC is now worse than when Ireland was asked to prioritise the issue.
The approach to the Irish government is part of a series of similar initiatives over coming weeks when member governments (in the Celtic countries) will be asked to outline just what the BIC has achieved in over a decade.
Our initial research indicates that no BIC member has made any progress in their `area of responsibility’ and that the BIC is increasingly just an expensive social gathering for politicians and senior civil servants which most countries can ill afford in times of austerity.
“An Taoiseach
Department of the Taoiseach
Government Buildings
Upper Merrion Street
Dublin 2
02/10/10
Dear Mr Cowen
Ref: British-Irish Council
Given that for several years the `area of responsibility’ in relation to the current work of the British-Irish Council (BIC) has been `Misuse of drugs’ can you advise why the current drugs problem in member areas of the BIC, without exception, has worsened?
Could you also outline what practical advantage has accrued to the population of the BIC area from initiatives developed by Ireland in relation to its `area of responsibility’?
Finally, can you advise what the costs to Ireland of participation in the BIC have been and do you believe that this provides value for money?
For information, the Celtic League will be addressing similar queries to other governments in the Celtic countries which are members of the BIC.
Yours sincerely,
J B Moffatt (Mr)”
“An Taoiseach
Department of the Taoiseach
Government Buildings
Upper Merrion Street
Dublin 2
02/10/10
Dear Mr Cowen
Ref: British-Irish Council
Given that for several years the `area of responsibility’ in relation to the current work of the British-Irish Council (BIC) has been `Misuse of drugs’ can you advise why the current drugs problem in member areas of the BIC, without exception, has worsened?
Could you also outline what practical advantage has accrued to the population of the BIC area from initiatives developed by Ireland in relation to its `area of responsibility’?
Finally, can you advise what the costs to Ireland of participation in the BIC have been and do you believe that this provides value for money?
For information, the Celtic League will be addressing similar queries to other governments in the Celtic countries which are members of the BIC.
Yours sincerely,
J B Moffatt (Mr)”
Background on the BIC can be found on wiki here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British%E2%80%93Irish_Council
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League
02/10/10
The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.
TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609
Internet site at:
https://celticleague.net
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