Chief minister defends cost of British-Irish Council

Deputy Trott said the council was an "unrivalled" opportunity

Guernsey's chief minister has defended the cost of a summit meeting being held in the island.

The British-Irish Council is meeting to discuss marine renewable energy.

Chief Minister Lyndon Trott said the cost was justified as it was an important issue in which the island had significant interest.

The States set a maximum budget for the meeting of £125,000, but at least one deputy has said the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Deputy Barry Brehaut has organised his own public meeting for the same time at which he hopes to hear from islanders about how they would have liked to have seen the money spent.

Deputy Trott also said the summit provided an "unrivalled" opportunity for Guernsey to further its relationships with the other members of the council.