Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels
Encyclopedia
The Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels (Office of the NI Executive in Brussels) is part of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
and is the focus of Northern Ireland
's relations with the institutions of the European Union
. As a dynamic European region, Northern Ireland has an interest in developments at Union level. Many laws and policies of the European Union have a direct effect on the lives of people in Northern Ireland. The European Union has contributed significantly to economic development in Northern Ireland and, through the PEACE Programme, to the process of reconciliation.
Many regions of Europe have established official representations in Brussels. This process has been accelerated by the development of EU regional policy and by the trend to devolution in countries like Spain
and the United Kingdom
. The Scottish Government, and the Welsh Assembly Government
have opened offices since devolution. Like the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive
, they operate under the umbrella of the UK Permanent Representation to the European Union.
The incumbent
Head is [].
The staff are committed to ensuring that the Office's facilities are made available to a broad range of interests including the non-government, local government, academic and private sectors. Many Northern Ireland-based organisations have used the facilities to hold meetings and events. The activities of the Office also assist in promoting knowledge and understanding of the European Union in Northern Ireland and staff have developed a strong relationship with the European Commission
representation in Belfast
.
As part of the development of inter-regional co-operation with the other European regions, the Northern Ireland administration has joined the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR). This organisation brings together representatives of most regions outside central Europe to discuss issues of mutual interest."
Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive with overall responsibility for the running of the Executive...
and is the focus of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
's relations with the institutions of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. As a dynamic European region, Northern Ireland has an interest in developments at Union level. Many laws and policies of the European Union have a direct effect on the lives of people in Northern Ireland. The European Union has contributed significantly to economic development in Northern Ireland and, through the PEACE Programme, to the process of reconciliation.
Many regions of Europe have established official representations in Brussels. This process has been accelerated by the development of EU regional policy and by the trend to devolution in countries like Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The Scottish Government, and the Welsh Assembly Government
Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
have opened offices since devolution. Like the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Executive
The Northern Ireland Executive is the executive arm of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the devolved legislature for Northern Ireland. It is answerable to the Assembly and was established according to the terms of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which followed the Good Friday Agreement...
, they operate under the umbrella of the UK Permanent Representation to the European Union.
About
"The Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels is located in a prestigious new building at 50 Rue Wiertz, close to the European Parliament . The office has been specifically designed to provide full facilities for Northern Ireland Ministers and officials visiting the European institutions and is well placed to serve all Northern Ireland's interests in Brussels. It has state-of-the-art communications with Northern Ireland, a Ministerial suite and conference facilities. Receptions can also be hosted."The incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Head is [].
Responsibilities
"The Office has six main functions:- Monitoring EU policy developments relevant to Northern Ireland
- Ensuring that Northern Ireland's interests are taken into account in the work of the EU Institutions
- Facilitating contacts and links between EU Institutions and NI Ministers and officials
- Raising the positive profile of Northern Ireland among European policy makers and opinion formers
- Pursuing co-operation of practical benefit to Northern Ireland with other European regions
- Facilitating improved contacts with the EU by Northern Ireland non-governmental and local government sectors
The staff are committed to ensuring that the Office's facilities are made available to a broad range of interests including the non-government, local government, academic and private sectors. Many Northern Ireland-based organisations have used the facilities to hold meetings and events. The activities of the Office also assist in promoting knowledge and understanding of the European Union in Northern Ireland and staff have developed a strong relationship with the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
representation in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.
As part of the development of inter-regional co-operation with the other European regions, the Northern Ireland administration has joined the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR). This organisation brings together representatives of most regions outside central Europe to discuss issues of mutual interest."
See also
- Office of the First Minister and deputy First MinisterOffice of the First Minister and deputy First MinisterThe Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive with overall responsibility for the running of the Executive...
- Northern Ireland ExecutiveNorthern Ireland ExecutiveThe Northern Ireland Executive is the executive arm of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the devolved legislature for Northern Ireland. It is answerable to the Assembly and was established according to the terms of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which followed the Good Friday Agreement...
- First Minister and deputy First MinisterFirst Minister and deputy First MinisterThe First Minister and the Deputy First Minister , sometimes abbreviated to FM/DFM, are positions in the Northern Ireland...
- Northern Ireland BureauNorthern Ireland BureauThe Northern Ireland Bureau is part of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and the senior staff are Civil Servants from Northern Ireland. It works to develop and deepen mutually beneficial links between economic, educational, cultural and community development interests in...