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The British–Irish Council is a body created by the , Jersey and the Isle Of Man . Its stated aim is to "promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands". MEMBERSHIP AND OPERATION Membership of the Council is comprised of the following governments (with current Head Of Government , as of July 2007): The council meets in two formats. The 8 heads of government meet in two Council s. At the ninth meeting meeting of the Council, it was decided that with devolved government returned to Northern Ireland that an opportune time existed "to undertake a strategic review of the Council’s work programmes, working methods and support arrangements." This decision including the potential for a permanent standing secretariat. It was agreed that this review should return its results as soon as possible. WORK AREAS in July 2007]] The council agrees to specific work areas for which individual members take responsibility. The Belfast Agreement suggested transport links, agriculture, environmental issues, culture, health, education and approaches to the European Union as suitable topics for early discussion. These work areas can be expanded or reduced as the Council decides. It is also open to the Council to make agreement on common policies. These agreements are made are made through consensus, although individual members may opt not to participate in implementing these. The current list of work areas and the member responsible are:
Demography was adopted as a work area at the 2006 meeting of the Council. It was proposed by the Scottish Executive , who also took responsibility for it. During the 2007 meeting of the Council the Scottish Executive further proposed that Energy become a work area of the Council and offered again to lead the area. No decision will be reached on whether to add energy as a work area or who should take responsibility for it until after the strategic review returned its findings. NAME OF THE COUNCIL The Council is popularly known as the Council of the IslesSimon Partridge, 2000, The British-Irish Council: the trans-islands symbolic and political possibilities , The British Council or sometimes as the Council of the British Isles. Particularly in Northern Ireland , which of these names is used signifies whether a speaker is Nationalist or Unionist as the term '' British Isles '' can be Interpreted As Being Politically Loaded , especially in Ireland . As Peter Robinson , a unionist politician, described, "A council of the British Isles — or a council of the Isles, I suppose, depending on which side of the room one is sitting." Minutes of the Committee on the Preparation for Government , Northern Ireland Assembly, Tuesday 29 August 2006 In represented minority and lesser-used languages the council is known as:
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