Press release
Statement by Tánaiste Simon Harris following call with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn MP
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
"This morning I had a very warm and engaging conversation with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn.
"The role of our two governments as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement could not be more important. This morning’s call was an opportunity to reiterate our full commitment to work tirelessly together to fulfil that shared responsibility.
"The relationship between our two governments is in a better place than it has been for many years following the reset that I undertook as Taoiseach in conjunction with Prime Minister Starmer. Northern Ireland remains at the heart of that relationship.
"We discussed the ongoing work towards repealing and replacing the UK Legacy Act, and I set out the commitments in the new Programme for Government, including playing our full part in legacy processes with the shared aim of ensuring a victim centered approach that respects the voice of families.
"I also briefed the Secretary of State on the commitments in the Programme for Government in further investing in the Shared Island initiative and we agreed that there was great scope to cooperate closely in this work.
"I invited Hilary Benn to Dublin and I look forward to hosting him here at the earliest opportunity."