asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 14 July (WA 106), what is meant by “mutual interest”; and who takes the decision whether an issue is of “mutual interest”. [HL5010]

There continue to be many areas of mutual interest for the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat and which the British and Irish Governments discuss within the framework of the conference. Examples of these include co-operation on security and criminal justice matters, equality and human rights issues and north/south and east/west matters. Areas where bilateral co-operation occur are discussed and jointly agreed by both Governments.