Chief Minister Alfred Cannan attended the British-Irish Council Summit in Blackpool last week.

It was also attended by Rishi Sunak, which represents the first time a Prime Minister has gone to the summit in 15 years.

The British-Irish Council, established in 1999, was created by the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement to ‘promote positive, practical relationships among the people of the islands and to provide a forum for co-operation’, according to the UK Government.

The 38th summit saw the heads of government meet.

Its membership comprises representatives from the Irish Government, UK Government, Scottish Government, Northern Ireland Executive, Welsh Government, Isle of Man Government, Government of Jersey, and Government of Guernsey.

They are held twice per year.

Discussions included topics such as the war in Ukraine, the rising cost of living and sustainable economic growth.

The summit was chaired by the UK’s Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Michael Gove MP.

He said: ‘This British-Irish Council has given us an opportunity to discuss the challenge all parts of these islands face with the rising cost of living and how we can do more to support the most vulnerable in our communities.

The Prime Minister’s attendance and constructive conversations with the First Ministers is a clear signal of our renewed ambition to work more closely together, with an absolute focus on tackling the most pressing issues across the UK.

‘As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement next year, everyone in attendance agreed restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland is an absolute priority over the coming months.’