Tánaiste Simon Harris to attend first UK - Ireland Summit

The Tánaiste Simon Harris will attend the first annual UK - Ireland Summit in the north west of England today (Thursday 6 March). This inaugural Summit – hosted by Prime Minister Starmer – will include a number of senior government Ministers from Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said: “Tomorrow’s Summit follows on from the commitment Prime Minister Starmer and I made in Dublin last September to renew and rebuild the Irish-British relationship.

“The Prime Minister and I were clear last year on the profound significance of our relationship. As neighbours with significant trade and investment in both directions, shared strategic challenges in an increasingly complex geo-political environment, and as co-guarantors of peace on the island of Ireland, we are committed to work intensively together for the good of everyone living across these islands.

“I look forward to agreeing an ambitious programme of practical cooperation with the British government. In my role as Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Minister of Defence, my focus in particular is on the range of commitments we will make on foreign and security policy issues, on strengthening our trade and investment partnership, and on effectively dealing with the complex legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

“The people living across these islands expect and deserve cooperation between our two governments that is rooted in respect, partnership and friendship. This Summit is a tangible expression of our joint commitment to this.”