British-Irish Council and relations
Deputy Fergus O'Dowd welcomed the British Prime Minister’s attendance at the British-Irish Council and asked about the role of Irish-British leadership relationships. The Tánaiste agreed the relationship between the two governments is crucial to peace and prosperity and welcomed the gesture from Prime Minister Sunak.
The British-Irish Council meets today. It is the first time in 15 years a British Prime Minister has attended. That is a very good omen. I welcome in particular the fact that Rishi Sunak is looking at trying to improve the relationship between our two countries. That is significant. Does the Tánaiste agree that the key relationship in bringing about the peace and prosperity on our island was the relationship in the past between British Prime Ministers and Irish taoisigh?
Comment on this
I absolutely agree. The situation in Northern Ireland is always at its best when the Irish Government and the British Government work together with a common agenda and common objectives. Unfortunately, those have been absent for quite some time. The fact that Prime Minister Sunak is attending the British-Irish Council in person, the first time a Prime Minister has done so in a very long time, is very welcome and a very significant gesture. It is to be hoped it is a sign of a better relationship to come.