The Taoiseach will welcome ministers from London, Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands to the 10th British-Irish Council (BIC) summit in Dublin today.
First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond, first minister for Wales Rhodri Morgan and secretary of state for Wales Paul Murphy will attend.
This is only the second council summit to take place in Dublin and the venue will be the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. The council was established under Strand Three of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, "to promote the harmonious and mutually- beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands."
Membership comprises representatives of the Irish and British governments, the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and representatives of the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey.
Others due to attend include Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív; chief minister of the Isle of Man Tony Brown; chief minister of Guernsey Mike Torode; and chief minister of Jersey senator Frank Walker.
Also due to be present are Jersey's minister for health and social services, senator Ben Shenton; Guernsey's minister at the home department, deputy Geoff Mahy, British minister of state at the Home Office with responsibility for drugs policy, Vernon Coker; Scotland's minister for community safety, Fergus Ewing; Welsh deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones; and Welsh minister for social justice and local government Dr Brian Gibbons (son of the late Fianna Fáil TD Dr Hugh Gibbons); and Isle of Man minister for home affairs Martyn Quayle.
The following members of the Northern Ireland Executive will also attend: Peter Robinson, Caitríona Ruane, Michael McGimpsey, Nigel Dodds, Margaret Ritchie and junior ministers Ian Paisley jnr and Gerry Kelly.
The council is mandated to exchange information and endeavour to reach agreement on co-operation in matters of mutual interest such as the environment, social inclusion, transport and minority languages.
Each administration takes the lead on particular issues, with Ireland having responsibility for co-operation to prevent the misuse of drugs.
