Catherine Murphy
Question:39. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he spoke with the UK Opposition Foreign Secretary during his visit to London before Christmas. [1076/24]
View answerWednesday, 17 January 2024
Questions (39)
Written answers
I visited London on 13 December for a bilateral meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron.
This was my first meeting with the British Foreign Secretary since his appointment in November 2023. As such, it represented an important opportunity to discuss relations between our countries, and to share views on a wide range of foreign policy issues including the crisis in the Middle East, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and international development aid.
I was also able to meet with the Chair and CEO of the London Irish Centre in Camden during my brief time in London. This was to announce Irish Government funding of €2.2 million towards the Centre’s redevelopment project. This is an important contribution to the Centre's fundraising efforts and signals the Government's strong ongoing commitment to supporting the Irish community in Britain.
I did not meet with the Shadow Foreign Secretary on this occasion; however, I am in contact with the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland as part of my regular engagement with a range of UK political figures as I work to strengthen the British-Irish relationship.