Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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124. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of contacts he has had with the Northern Ireland First Minister or Deputy First Minister since 1 January 2021; the dates and nature of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4679/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As part of the Government’s commitment to supporting the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and maintaining strong relationships, I remain in regular contact with the First Minister, deputy First Minister, and other political leaders in Northern Ireland on a range of issues.

Most recently, on Monday 11 January, I participated by videoconference in the first Implementation Review Meeting of the New Decade, New Approach agreement alongside the First Minister, deputy First Minister, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and party leaders in Northern Ireland. During that meeting, we discussed the progress that has been made over the past year on the implementation of our respective commitments, and the shared challenges we face in the context of both the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit.

I will continue to engage closely with the First Minister and deputy First Minister as we move forward on these and other issues. Regular contacts are also maintained by officials in my Department with the Northern Ireland Executive, and through the North South Ministerial Council, as we seek to work together on a wide range of areas of cooperation.