TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said he regrets the “lacking” sense of partnership between the EU and UK in addressing the Northern Ireland Protocol in a speech at today’s meeting of the British-Irish Council.
Leaders from Ireland and the United Kingdom gathered on the island of Guernsey today as part of the 37th British-Irish Council Summit to discuss the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, climate change, support for the people of Ukraine, and the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The summit is the first meeting between the heads of state, including the First Ministers of Wales and Scotland, chief ministers, and the Taoiseach, since outgoing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned yesterday.
Speaking to the Council, the Taoiseach recalled his recent visit to Ukraine and the “terrible devastation” he witnessed.
He welcomed the partnership between the EU and the UK in responding to the war and said that he regretted the same spirit of unity has been “lacking” when it comes to addressing issues around implementation of the NI Protocol.
The Taoiseach said: “Partnership, vision and compromise delivered and sustained the Good Friday Agreement.
“A return to that partnership approach by the UK Government, through honest dialogue and balanced agreement, can resolve the current implementation challenges with the Northern Ireland Protocol.”
Unilateral action by the British Government is in breach of international law and is not conducive to making real progress – nor is it in the best interests of people and businesses in Northern Ireland, he said.
Developments in Westminster also featured on the committee’s agenda.
Former UK Minister Michael Gove was due to represent the UK Government but was sacked on Wednesday, causing confusion over who would go in his place.
Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns attended instead, following a mass exodus of Conservative ministers and MPs.
He said on Twitter: “Today and tomorrow I will lead for the UK Govt at the meeting of the @BICSecretariat.
“It is vital at this time that the job @NIOgov continues to be done.
“I am committed to continuing to serve the wonderful people of Northern Ireland to the best of my ability at the tough time.”
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The British-Irish Council is designed to foster strong working relationships between all the governments involved – and that’s what we’ll be doing today.
“We are here to do the serious business of working together to make things better for the people in our respective nations and islands.
“This is what the UK Government should be focusing on.
“What we have seen over recent months has not just been about the fate of one person, it has been about the collapse of decent and effective government in London. We all deserve better.”
Additional reporting from Sarah McGuinness.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say