Taoiseach attending Queen’s University Belfast conference to mark 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is in Belfast today (Wednesday) to speak at the Queen’s University Belfast Agreement 25 Conference which is marking the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Taoiseach will give a keynote speech as part of the closing session to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, calling on all parties to work together to restore the Executive, and pledging the Irish Government’s ongoing support. He will also highlight the huge investment opportunities now in place for Northern Ireland.

Other speakers include UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President of the European Commission Ursula van der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel, and President Bill Clinton. The Taoiseach will also attend an official function at Hillsborough Castle in the evening to mark the occasion.

While in Northern Ireland, the Taoiseach will have an opportunity to meet with Rishi Sunak and a range of EU and US leaders, along with political leaders from Northern Ireland.

The Taoiseach said:

“Coming just one week after the visit of President Biden to Belfast, this conference highlights the achievements of the Agreement and those who helped to shape it. We can never take away from its greatest achievement – that it brought peace to our island.

“Without the courage and vision of the women and men from all political traditions, we wouldn’t have a peace to celebrate today.

“I look forward to meeting with Rishi Sunak, leaders from civic society, and with current and future politicians and leaders in Northern Ireland.

“Few could have imagined how the Good Friday Agreement would transform relationships at every level across these islands. As co-guarantors of the Agreement, the Irish and British Governments remain steadfast in our desire to see the restoration of the institutions and the formation of an Executive.”