Micheál Martin
Ceist:141. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, since the British general election outcome on 8 June 2017. [28651/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 20 June 2017
Ceisteanna (141)
Freagraí scríofa
I spoke by phone to Prime Minister May last Thursday following my appointment as Taoiseach. I extended the Government's sympathies to her and to the people of London on the tragic fire at the Grenfell Tower. We also discussed Brexit and the ongoing political discussions in London and in Belfast, agreeing on the need to have the Northern Ireland Executive up and running as quickly as possible. We agreed to meet in Downing Street the following Monday to continue our discussions.
In that meeting yesterday I again expressed my sympathies on the recent tragedies and atrocities in London. We discussed the situation in Northern Ireland in some detail. We are both absolutely committed to seeing the Northern Ireland institutions back up and running as a matter of urgency.
We discussed our respective contacts with the parties in recent days. I am confident that, in our role as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, we can provide resolute support and encouragement to the Northern Ireland parties in the days ahead, and that with goodwill and respect on all sides we can reach a successful conclusion to the current talks.
Now that formal negotiations between the EU and the UK have commenced, it is vital that the views and concerns of Northern Ireland are fully reflected.
The Prime Minister and I reaffirmed our two Governments’ commitment to maintaining the Common Travel Area and associated reciprocal rights, to protecting the Peace Process and, in particular, to keeping the border invisible. But we also recognise that this will be extremely challenging and, in the words of the EU negotiation guidelines, will require “flexible and imaginative” solutions. This Government will certainly play its part in working constructively with all our partners – in Northern Ireland, in Britain and across the EU – to find solutions that are in the best interests of everyone on these islands.
I also raised the ongoing talks between the DUP and the Conservative Party in the context of the need for impartiality of the two Governments.