Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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1. To ask the Taoiseach the number of contacts he has had with the Northern Ireland First Minister or Deputy First Minister since 1 January 2021; and the dates and nature of same. [4678/21]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I had phone calls with First Minister, Arlene Foster MLA, and the deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA on 25 January. We discussed the latest situation on Covid-19 and the measures being taken in response, including in relation to travel. We discussed the similarity of approach across many of the actions we are each taking in response to Covid. We also discussed the issue of new variants of the virus and the importance of genome sequencing in detecting their presence.

We also discussed the progress being made on resolving Passenger Locator Form issues between the two Health Departments, who have agreed that the Irish side will provide a passenger contact service for people who travel on to Northern Ireland after arrival in Ireland, as an interim measure, pending further work being finalised to facilitate transfer of data.

I also met by videoconference with the First Minister and the deputy First Minister, on Wednesday 13 January, when we also discussed the latest developments on Covid-19.

We also had a very useful discussion on Covid-19 between the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive at the North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting on 18 December, which was hosted by the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

In addition, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP jointly chair Quad meetings which discuss the ongoing response to Covid-19 and are also attended by the First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

There is also regular contact between Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly and his Northern Ireland counterpart Minister Robin Swann, and between the Chief Medical Officers North and South. There is also regular engagement at official level more generally, including through a series of meetings of officials from the Irish Government, the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive which are coordinated and jointly chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach and the Cabinet Office.