Newry Mourne and Down District Council was delighted to host the Finance Ministers’ Trilateral Meeting at O’Hagan House, Monaghan Row in Newry on Friday 21 October. It was the first time such a meeting has been held in the City.
Council Chairperson Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick and Chief Executive Liam Hannaway welcomed Finance Minister, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir MLA, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution, Derek Mackay MSP and Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford to Newry City.
They also gave a warm reception to Finance Representatives from the Basque Government, including the Vice Minister of Finance and Treasury, Mr Juan Miguel Bilbao Garay, who were also in attendance at the Trilateral Meeting to discuss pertinent financial issues for our regions.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick said: “I am delighted that Newry City has been given the opportunity to host this Trilateral Meeting.
“The meeting discussed a number of topics significant to our area, including the EU referendum, the Apprenticeship Levy, the Chancellors Autumn Statement and also provided an opportunity to set out a collective agreement on issues ahead of the upcoming quadrilateral meeting with the British Chancellor on 24 October 2016.”
“I would like to thank the Finance Ministers once again for the opportunity to host this meeting, as I believe it represents in reality the ethos of joined up government – working together to gain mutual collaboration amongst the regions.
“I look forward to welcoming further meetings such as this to be held within the district.”