asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the role of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat, based in Belfast, has changed since its creation; and, if so, what is its current role. [HL4317]

The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat was created under the Good Friday agreement in 1998 to bring together the two Governments to promote bilateral co-operation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments. The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat continues to perform this function.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the budget of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat in each year since creation. [HL4318]

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 17 March (Official Report, cols. WA 2-3), in which I gave the budget for the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat since 2001.

Records in relation to 1999-01 are no longer held.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many staff there are in the British section of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; and what are their ranks. [HL4319]

The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference secretariat has 21 staff—10 for the British side, 11 for the Irish side, comprising a mix of grades from senior civil servants to admin support grades.