Established under the terms of the Good Friday/ Belfast Agreement, the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) brings together those with executive responsibilities in Northern Ireland and in the Irish Government. It was created as part of the institutional arrangements designed to support cooperation across the island of Ireland and to provide a structured mechanism for dialogue between the two administrations.

The NSMC’s role is to develop consultation, co-operation and action within the island of Ireland on matters of mutual interest. Its work is based on the principle that decisions are made by agreement between North and South, ensuring that both jurisdictions are involved in shaping approaches to shared issues. This collaborative structure reflects the framework set out in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

The Council has identified six areas for co-operation through existing bodies in each jurisdiction, as well as six matters for co-operation through implementation bodies operating on a cross-border or all-island level. These arrangements provide practical channels through which cooperation is carried out, allowing for coordinated activity across agreed policy areas.

The NSMC is supported by a Joint Secretariat, which is based in Armagh. The Secretariat is staffed by civil servants from both the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Irish Government Civil Service. Its role is to support the functioning of the Council and facilitate its work, ensuring that meetings, communications, and administrative processes are effectively managed.

The North South Ministerial Council website can be found at www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org

Links last checked: July 2026