Northern Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022

Tuesday, 22 November 2022

Ceisteanna (38, 39, 40, 41, 42)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

38. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. [54585/22]

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

39. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. [54586/22]

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

40. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the new British Prime Minister since his appointment. [54854/22]

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

41. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent conversation with the British Prime Minister. [56296/22]

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

42. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his latest communications with the British Prime Minister. [56372/22]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 to 52, inclusive, together. On Wednesday 26 October I congratulated the new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on his appointment and we discussed a number of issues of mutual interest including the NI Protocol.

We then had a formal bilateral meeting on 10 November in advance of the British Irish Council in Blackpool. This was a positive and constructive engagement, where in addition to Northern Ireland and the NI Protocol, we discussed the war in Ukraine, climate change, energy costs and inflation affecting both jurisdictions.

I welcomed the step back the UK Government had taken from calling fresh elections in Northern Ireland. This, I hope will allow time to make progress on the EU-UK negotiations on the Protocol. I also raised the Government’s concerns regarding the UK Legacy Bill. I highlighted the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and flagged concerns regarding the stability and functioning of the Institutions and the potential for increased polarisation of politics in Northern Ireland.

Questions Nos. 43 to 49, inclusive, resubmitted.