Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach, my Cabinet colleagues and I take every opportunity to engage with our EU partners, as well as UK counterparts, as appropriate, to advance Ireland’s priorities in matters arising from the UK's withdrawal from the EU, including the EU-UK future partnership negotiations, implementation of the withdrawal agreement and the protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

While I have not had the opportunity to meet Sir Keir Starmer over recent months because of Covid, we maintained good contact during his time as the UK Labour Party’s spokesperson on Brexit.  Mr. Starmer is well-informed on the issues Ireland faces due to challenges arising from Brexit. In particular, he has shown a strong understanding and sympathy regarding the need to protect the Good Friday Agreement in full and the gains of the peace process.

My engagement with key interlocutors on Brexit has continued in recent months, including recent contacts with EU chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, who is a regular contact, and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, ahead of the meeting of the Specialised Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland on 16 July.  This is in addition to the contacts being made by the Taoiseach, the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs and other members of the Government with their counterparts across the EU and in the UK.  I have also spoken to the First Secretary of State, Dominic Raab, on a number of occasions.

The point the Deputy makes is a fair one. I have not had an opportunity to meet Keir Starmer or speak to him since he became leader of the British Labour Party, apart from wishing him well in a text message. My Department is planning for that conversation to take place in the weeks ahead.

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