Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I spoke with both First Minister Paul Givan and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill last week at the COP26 Leaders’ Summit in Glasgow.

I had last spoken with them in Belfast on the 8 October, when we all attended and addressed a conference on climate action.

During that visit to Belfast, I also, separately, had meetings with the leaders of the main political parties on current political developments including the Protocol and legacy issues. I also took the opportunity to brief them on the record €3.5bn budget for collaborative cross-border investment announced with the publication of the National Development Plan, including the doubling of the Shared Island Fund to €1bn to 2030.

One of many drawbacks of Covid was the loss of face-to-face engagement, and it was positive to be able to have in-person contact again.