TAOISEACH SIMON HARRIS has said people of his “generation” are “more familiar” with Berlin and Paris than they are with Belfast or Derry in the North.

Harris made the comments as he addressed the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly at Druids Glen Hotel in Newtown Mount Kennedy, Co Wicklow.

It was the first time he has spoken as Taoiseach at a meeting of Irish and UK parliamentarians.

Harris told the audience that there is a “whole generation of people who are yearning to be involved in a conversation about the future, in a conversation about how we work together”.

He called for this “conversation” to be about “practical areas in which we can work together and get to know each other better”, rather than being “divisive” and “argumentative”.

Harris then added: “I’m also, if I’m being very honest, of a generation where people are more familiar now with London and Berlin and Paris than they might be with Belfast or Derry.

“I think we really have to challenge ourselves – how do we actually make sure people on this island and these islands get to know each other better?

“Because it is interpersonal relationships, it’s knowing each other, it’s being familiar with each other that is the key to embedding peace.

“I think there’s a challenge in all of us and a challenge I pose to this assembly today. How do we get talking again and how do we get people to know each other?”

Elsewhere, Harris praised political leaders in Northern Ireland and commented that there is “now an opportunity to say ‘What’s next? What more can we do together?’”

Harris said he looked forward to “exploring” these areas because First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly are “determined” to work with the Irish government in a “practical and pragmatic way”.

“The Government of Ireland will continue to work to realise the full potential of co-operation and dialogue across borders and communities,” said Harris.

“This is at the heart of the Government’s shared islands initiative.”

Harris told delegates that, as the world becomes ever more competitive, they need to work together to help “grow the size of the pie” so everyone across the island benefits.

He also praised past political leaders who were instrumental in bringing peace in Northern Ireland, but said the public have yet to see the full benefit of their achievements.

“I want us to reflect on how, in this turbulent world, we can make these islands a better place for the generations that follow us,” Harris said.

“I often think the last generation gave us the most incredible gift possible, they gave us a peace process. They gave us peace. They gave us a framework, and they gave us one of the most enduring peace processes possible.

“But, if we’re to be self-critical, we have yet to see the full benefit of it. We’ve seen the peace elements, now we must see the prosperity element.”

-With additional reporting from Diarmuid Pepper