Colm Burke
Question:42. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on his recent meeting with the British Foreign Secretary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2633/24]
View answerThursday, 25 January 2024
Questions (42)
Written answers
I travelled to London on 13 December to meet with the UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, our first since his appointment as Foreign Secretary in November.
Our meeting focused on the importance of the relationship between Ireland and Britain. We had a good discussion on matters relating to Northern Ireland, including an exchange regarding the UK's the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act. I also raised issues related to Sellafield.
We also discussed several pressing foreign policy matters. We had a lengthy exchange on the international response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Given that both of us had recently visited the region, our discussion on the conflict in Gaza and its implications for the wider Middle East was important. We also explored possible areas for deeper cooperation between our respective international development programmes.
The relationship between Ireland and Britain remains deeply important. We are joint stewards of the Good Friday Agreement, close and mutually interdependent trading partners, and neighbours who share significant people-to-people ties. The relationship is also one of huge potential, as is particularly evident from our ongoing cooperation in areas of mutual interest including energy, cybersecurity, and research and innovation.
I look forward to working with Foreign Secretary Cameron over the time ahead to further strengthen the British-Irish relationship and to address issues of common foreign policy priority.