Minority languages under debate

The ministers share information and debate how they can work together

Government leaders from across the British Isles have met in Jersey to discuss minority languages.

The 13th British-Irish Council (BIC) summit heard that more work was being done to improve the amount of Jerriais being taught in the island.

Peter Hain, Alex Salmond, Rhodri Morgan and Martin McGuinness are among those gathering in St Helier.

Jersey last hosted a BIC summit in 2002. It was attended by Tony Blair, the then UK prime minister.

The council incorporates the British and Irish governments, the devolved governments and assemblies of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and the crown dependency governments of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

The group aims to improve relations between the countries and islands.

Deputy James Reed, Jersey's minister for education, sport and culture, said: "Teaching Jerriais to both children and adults is key to maintaining and the development of our unique cultural identity."

The BIC's minority languages group will meet again in Dublin in December and is due to examine the European charter for regional and minority languages.