Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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108. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will report on her recent visit to London. [15131/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware I recently visited London from 10th March to 14th March as part of the Government's St Patrick's Day programme.

While in London I represented the Irish government at a number of St Patrick's Day events and receptions. These included:

- a Law Enforcement reception held at the Embassy of Ireland with members of law enforcement from the UK and Ireland,

- the St Patrick's Day Ball where I met with many Irish representatives of the Construction industry in London, and

- the Labour Party Irish Society reception.

I met with the Mayor of London in advance of the St Patrick's Day parade on Sunday which I led, alongside the Mayor. This gave me the opportunity to address the crowd in Trafalgar Square, where the contribution of the Irish Community to London was celebrated.

I attended an event commemorating 50 years since the England rugby team travelled to Lansdowne Road to play Ireland in the then five nations tournament. The event was attended by some of the original players from both sides as well as RFU and IRFU officials.

I held bilateral meetings with my counterparts namely the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Minister for Employment. We spoke about the positive collaboration between the Department of Work and Pensions and the Department of Social Protection on social security matters. In particular the work being done to protect the social security rights of citizens in the UK and Ireland post Brexit.

The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss common issues faced in regard to the labour force and the cost of living crisis, supporting people with disabilities back into to employment, pension policy and hot school meals programme. It was a valuable opportunity to share learning.

I also met the Minister for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs on rural affairs matters.