Tánaiste meets new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD was welcomed to Hillsborough Castle by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP today for a working dinner. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson MP, also took part.

Over the course of a very constructive engagement, they took stock of recent political developments and enjoyed a discussion on a range of issues, including Legacy and the Shared Island Initiative.

They also looked ahead to what is expected to be a busy autumn, underlining a shared commitment to work closely together as partners and co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement.

Speaking after the meeting, the Tánaiste said:

“This very positive first in-person meeting with the Secretary of State in his new role, and with Minister Anderson, lays the foundation for a very fruitful partnership in the time ahead. I am firmly committed to working together in the same spirit that delivered the Good Friday Agreement and every moment of progress since then.

“With the Irish and British Governments working in partnership we can help Northern Ireland realise its full potential as a prosperous, peaceful and reconciled society. A strong British-Irish relationship is good for all the people of these islands.”