Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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251. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he has had interaction with the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with a view to improving relations between London, Dublin and Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44909/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I spoke to the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heatton Harris, on 7 September immediately following his appointment. We had a constructive phone call where we discussed a number of matters, including our shared priority of addressing the ongoing absence of the power-sharing Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland. I underlined the importance of the partnership approach between our two governments and our responsibilities as co-Guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. We also discussed plans for future engagement such as the forthcoming BIIGC and our intention to meet together in person in the weeks ahead. I look forward to working closely with the Secretary of State and his team.

I will remain in close contact with the Secretary of State and indeed with the Northern Ireland political parties in the period ahead. Strong relationships and honest conversations East-West and North-South must and should remain at the heart of this Government's approach. I firmly believe that by working together in a spirit of cooperation we can jointly find solutions to the range of issues facing Northern Ireland.