Matt Carthy
Question:62. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with the British government. [20777/24]
View answerThursday, 9 May 2024
Questions (62)
Written answers
The relationship between Ireland and Britain is deeply important, and my engagement with British counterparts is rooted in our joint stewardship of the Good Friday Agreement, our strong people-to-people links, and our significant strategic and economic interconnections.
I met with Foreign Secretary David Cameron in London in December following his appointment to the role. Our meeting focused primarily on the importance of the bilateral relationship and matters relating to Northern Ireland. We also shared perspectives on a range of critical foreign policy issues. Our discussion on the conflict in Gaza and its wider implications for the Middle East was particularly important, as we had both recently visited the region. We also discussed the international community's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris, including most recently when the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference was held in London on 29 April. This was a constructive meeting. In addition to matters relating to Northern Ireland, we reflected on ongoing and possible cooperation in areas of mutual interest to include energy, research and innovation and education.
The Strand Three Institutions of the Good Friday Agreement provide a structure for regular engagement with the British Government to promote the totality of relationships across these islands. Now with the welcome restoration of all three Strands of the Good Friday Agreement, I look forward to focusing on issues of mutual concern to people across these islands. On that note, I very much look forward to the next British-Irish Council Summit, which will be held in the Isle of Man in June and which will focus on harnessing the potential of renewable energy.