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British-Irish Co-operation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021

Thursday, 30 September 2021

Questions (74)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

74. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of meetings he has had to date in 2021 with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; the issues discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47063/21]

View answer

Written answers

As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, is it vital that the Irish and British Governments work together in support of the institutions in Northern Ireland. I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, in this regard.

In January 2021, together with the Secretary of State, I co-chaired by videoconference the first New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) Implementation Review Meeting, to discuss progress made to date with the implementation of the NDNA agreement. A second review meeting is being planned for the period ahead.

I had a videoconference meeting with the Secretary of State and Lord Frost on 3 March in relation to issues around the implementation of the Protocol.

I met with the Secretary of State individually, and also together with Lord Frost, on 15 April in London.  We discussed the impact of Covid-19, issues around the implementation of the Protocol, political stability in Northern Ireland, and preparations for the British Irish Council and British Irish Intergovernmental Conference. 

We met again on 6 May in Dublin, with a view to discussing a range of issues including recent political developments in Northern Ireland, the Shared Island initiative and legacy.

On 11 June, I attended the British Irish Council (BIC) Summit, which was also attended by the Secretary of State. The summit was an opportunity for discussions on the impact of Covid-19, latest political developments and the ongoing work of the BIC.

On 24 June, I jointly chaired the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin Castle with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The meeting allowed for discussion of a wide and positive agenda of East-West and economic and security cooperation. There were also important discussions around the need to make progress on addressing the legacy of the past.

The Government has joined the British Government and the Northern Irish parties in an ongoing process of intensive engagement on legacy. As part of this engagement process, I met virtually with the Secretary of State together with all Northern Ireland political party leaders on 16 July.

Most recently, I met with the Secretary of State on 3 September when I attended the British-Irish Association 2021 Conference in Oxford. 

I will continue to remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland as we work together in support of prosperity, peace and deeper reconciliation. 

Question No. 75 answered with Question No. 21.
Question No. 76 answered with Question No. 26.
Question No. 77 answered with Question No. 8.
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