Taoiseach Simon Harris to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- Published on: 17 July 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Taoiseach Simon Harris will travel to Chequers today, Wednesday, to have a meeting over dinner with the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to discuss their shared aim of a reset in British-Irish relations
When the Taoiseach and Prime Minister spoke by phone on 5 July, the two leaders agreed that there was an opportunity now to reset and strengthen relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom. As well as discussing bilateral relations, it is expected that the Taoiseach and Prime Minister will discuss Northern Ireland and international issues, including the situation in Gaza and in Ukraine. The Taoiseach will update on current EU priorities and the leaders will share perspectives on EU-UK relations. The meeting is expected to allow both leaders to re-affirm their respective commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and the resolve of both Governments to furthering reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Speaking ahead of the meeting the Taoiseach said:
“The invitation extended to me by Prime Minister Starmer to meet with him at Chequers is a strong signal of the value he attaches to the friendship and closeness that saw our two countries achieve so much together in the past, and to resetting the relationship so that we can again achieve much together in the time ahead.
“I look forward to getting to know the Prime Minister and to conveying to him the broad welcome across Government, and more widely across Ireland, to a reset in relations with the United Kingdom at this time. I am fully committed to a stronger, mutually respectful and ambitious partnership between both countries, and to getting down to work to make this happen.”