Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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98. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the leader of the Labour Party in the UK, Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, on 30 May 2019; and the issues that he discussed. [23340/19]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I met with the Leader of the British Labour Party, Mr Jeremy Corbyn MP in Government Buildings on Thursday 30 May 2019. Mr Corbyn was accompanied by Tony Lloyd, MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and advisers.

We discussed Northern Ireland, Brexit, and the current political situation in Westminster. Discussions focused principally on the need to restore a power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland and the importance of ongoing engagement with all political parties in the North.

Mr Corbyn and I also considered Brexit, with both of us sharing serious concerns about a no deal scenario and its inherent dangers, including the possibility that the UK may end up in a no deal situation by default unless alternatives are pursued. We also discussed the importance of avoiding any return of a hard border on the island of Ireland.

We agreed to stay in touch with regard to both Northern Ireland and Brexit.