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LAST UPDATE | 5 Mar
IRELAND IS “OPEN to any invitation” to assist in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, Micheál Martin has said, but the Taoiseach stressed that Irish forces “will not be part of a deterrent force”.
Martin made the comments in Liverpool where he is set to take part in a meeting with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer later this evening, opening the first Ireland-UK summit.
Asked if Ireland would support Starmer’s ‘coalition of the willing’ - a group of European, countries led by the UK and France, seeking to strike a peace deal in Ukraine – the Taoiseach said Irish Defence Forces would only be deployed for peacekeeping operations.
“I pay tribute to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his leadership over the last while,” Martin told reporters this evening. “I think he’s been effective and impactful. We all want peace. There are too many wars in the world.
“Too many young people are losing their lives on the battle fronts. It impacts on livelihoods all over the world, particularly Ukrainians, particularly people in the Middle East, particularly Sudan and other areas.
“I think Keir Starmer is really looking at the realities of the world today and is leading well, in terms of working with the European Union and other leading European states to try and deal with this situation,” he added.
Starmer’s plan, which sees the UK Prime Minister working alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, seeks to take steps towards bringing about a “lasting peace” in Ukraine, which is backed up by security guarantees from Nato and EU member states.
It came after the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was shouted at by US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office last week, as the Ukrainian leader sought to secure future protection vows from the Americans.
Once a plan has been arranged, the European leaders will approach Trump with the agreement, in the hopes to secure American security promises in Ukraine to deter future attacks or the breaking of a ceasefire arrangement by Russia.
Macron and Starmer may flank Zelenskyy at his next meeting at the White House, as talks escalate, the French government confirmed today.
On joining Starmer’s efforts, Martin said the Irish government has been “clear” that it will only join peace efforts if and when a ceasefire or an agreed end to hostilities in Ukraine.
“Ireland has always been open to peacekeeping,” he said. “But, we wouldn’t be part of a deterrent force. They are two different and distinct issues.
“We are open – have always been open, depending on the context – to any invitation to participate in genuine peacekeeping and ensure that any cessation of hostilities can lead to a durable, sustainable peace. Any peace in Ukraine had to be durable and sustainable.”
Martin is in Liverpool ahead of a Ireland-UK summit between delegations of ministers from both governments to discuss the economic ties between both nations and the opportunities for future collaboration.
It follows a pledge last year to improve relations with the United Kingdom after a visit and meeting between then-Taoiseach Simon Harris and Starmer , who agreed to bring ties between their countries to a “new level”.
A dinner is taking place the evening, co-hosted by Martin and Starmer, to mark the beginning of the restart of annual engagements between both governments.
This year’s summit comes at an ample time for Martin, who is primed for a meeting in the Oval Office next week. A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said yesterday it was likely that Starmer and the Fianna Fáil leader would brief each other on the visit.
Speaking with reporters this evening, Martin was hesitant to drift off topic from the engagements in Liverpool, stating that he wants to focus on the economic and cultural ties between Dublin and London.
But, asked whether he would be seeking advice from Starmer on his one-to-one with Trump, the Taoiseach said he would not. He said it was likely the pair would exchange notes about the global issues of the day.
“I won’t be seeking advice. I’ve met quite a number of people, but we will obviously discuss the issues of today,” he said.
“We will discuss the situation in Ukraine and the geopolitical situation more generally. In respect of any other meetings I have this week or next week in the US and elsewhere, people come to the table with different perspectives.
“I respect people. I respect the offices that people hold, and it’s honor to be invited to the White House as an Irish Taoiseach given the relationship between our two countries, a very strong economic relationship, but also the ties that have binded Ireland and America together for a long, long time.”
Tomorrow’s plenary – a meeting involving every ministerial delegation from Ireland and the UK – will focus on sustainable growth, safe and reliant societies and the green energy transition.
Martin will be joined by Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Education Helen McEntee, Minister for Energy and Climate Change Darragh O’Brien and Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan.
On the UK side, Starmer will be joined by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn.
It is likely these ministers will seek to explore areas where Ireland and the UK can collaborate in those fields. There will be less coming out of this first summit than would have been hoped (planning was interrupted by Ireland’s general election last year).
The situation in Ukraine is expected to be discussed by Martin and Starmer tonight at dinner, and largely dominate the ministers’ attention as UK appears as the frontrunner in possible peace negotiations with European nations.
But, it is understood that Ireland is keen to tap into the British government’s expertise when it comes to off-short wind infrastructure. A large portion of this week’s discussion will also be reserved for joint-initiatives to reach net-zero climate commitments.
With reporting from Jane Matthews
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They can meet in Ennis and have their combined rag week so!
Brilliant. I alway said that what the Atlantic Corridor needs is a framework to enhance collaboration. I’m just amazed that a multi-stakeholder regional cluster hasn’t been envisaged before now.
I am not convinced. I would use the example of silicon valley a region we should emulate. There you have a region with a huge amount of institutions doing their things and competing. No federally driven mergers or amalgamations. Take the example of Caltech, a small but amazingly successful IT. Give the institutions more autonomy and a fixed budget and let them compete.
For a country of 4.5 million people, we sure have an endless number of third level institutions.
First Tipperary Institute merged with LIT now GMIT. Why does this country think centralisation and merging is the answer to everything. It’s a just a ruse for more cuts but the people are too stupid to see it. Same with the abolition of the urban councils. A cash grab on the rich urban councils to save rural Ireland. Name one situation where centralisation/mergers has worked in this country?
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