Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, since the British general election outcome on 8 June 2017. [28651/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I spoke by phone to Prime Minister May last Thursday following my appointment as Taoiseach. I extended the Government's sympathies to her and to the people of London on the tragic fire at the Grenfell Tower. We also discussed Brexit and the ongoing political discussions in London and in Belfast, agreeing on the need to have the Northern Ireland Executive up and running as quickly as possible. We agreed to meet in Downing Street the following Monday to continue our discussions.

In that meeting yesterday I again expressed my sympathies on the recent tragedies and atrocities in London. We discussed the situation in Northern Ireland in some detail. We are both absolutely committed to seeing the Northern Ireland institutions back up and running as a matter of urgency.

We discussed our respective contacts with the parties in recent days. I am confident that, in our role as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, we can provide resolute support and encouragement to the Northern Ireland parties in the days ahead, and that with goodwill and respect on all sides we can reach a successful conclusion to the current talks.

Now that formal negotiations between the EU and the UK have commenced, it is vital that the views and concerns of Northern Ireland are fully reflected.

The Prime Minister and I reaffirmed our two Governments’ commitment to maintaining the Common Travel Area and associated reciprocal rights, to protecting the Peace Process and, in particular, to keeping the border invisible. But we also recognise that this will be extremely challenging and, in the words of the EU negotiation guidelines, will require “flexible and imaginative” solutions. This Government will certainly play its part in working constructively with all our partners – in Northern Ireland, in Britain and across the EU – to find solutions that are in the best interests of everyone on these islands.

I also raised the ongoing talks between the DUP and the Conservative Party in the context of the need for impartiality of the two Governments.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster, since the outcome of the British general election on 8 June 2017; the issues that were discussed; and if particular issues regarding Brexit were discussed. [28652/17]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster, regarding the confidence and supply arrangement between the Democratic Unionist Party and the Conservative Party. [28653/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

I met with DUP Party Leader Arlene Foster and Simon Hamilton MLA in Government Buildings on 16 June.

We discussed a wide range of issues including the urgent need to re-establish the Northern Ireland Executive, noting the deadline of 29 June for completion of negotiations.

There was also agreement on the importance of a functioning Executive in the context of the Brexit negotiations due to start the following week.

I made clear that my Government and I would work in support of the Northern Ireland parties to re-establish the Executive, and in pursuit of strong North-South relations including through the North South Ministerial Council.

I stressed the objectives of ensuring that Brexit does not impact negatively on the Good Friday Agreement and the Peace Process, and protecting North-South trade and economic activity and the Common Travel Area.

I raised the ongoing discussions on formation of a new Government in London with the DUP, which is a matter for the parties represented at Westminster, but noted the need to avoid any outcome which could interfere with devolution and the prospects of re-establishing the Executive.

Finally, I noted opportunities for investment in infrastructure which could be of benefit on both parts of the island, and agreed that discussions on this should continue.