Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Taoiseach had an opportunity to discuss several important issues with the new British Prime Minister, including the full implementation and effective operation of all the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement, the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol and the British Government's legacy Bill. The war in Ukraine was among other issues the Taoiseach discussed.

The appointment of Rishi Sunak has set the relationship between Britain and Ireland and it is clear these relations have improved significantly. Will the Taoiseach bring the House up to date on the protocol issue and the restoration of the political institutions in Northern Ireland? RTÉ's European editor, Tony Connelly, tweeted this morning that EU sources are denying a report in the London Times that a deal on the Northern Ireland protocol has been struck between the UK and the EU. It was noteworthy that the Taoiseach suggested last month that mistakes had been made on all sides in the handling of Brexit and that the post-Brexit protocol might be too strict.

He was in Belfast last month for talks with the main parties in Stormont. Does he believe the agreement reached on EU access to UK customs and IT systems is significant? Can he say where we are at now as regards the technical negotiations between the UK, and on the protocol issue? I appreciate the parties to the negotiations need time and space. He may not want to, but will he also comment on the report in the London Times?

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