Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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59. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the plans the Government has to participate in the 25th anniversary of the official opening of the Island of Ireland Peace Park on 11 November 2023 in Messines, Belgium; who will be representing the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39002/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Island of Ireland Peace Park, which marks the involvement of soldiers from this island in the Battle of Messines, is an important symbol of reconciliation and remembrance. The Peace Park was officially opened on 11 November 1998 by then President of Ireland Mary McAleese together with the late Queen Elizabeth II, and King Albert II of Belgium.

The Mayor of Messines is taking the lead in organising an event to mark the 25th anniversary of the official opening of the Island of Ireland Peace Park, which was officially announced in a press conference on 7 June. The Embassy of Ireland to Belgium and the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels remain in regular contact with the Mayor and his staff in relation to planning this ceremony, including with regard to Government participation. A decision on Government representation has not yet been taken.

Throughout the Decade of Centenaries the Government has engaged with stakeholders across the island of Ireland and abroad in order to ensure the sensitive, inclusive, and respectful approach which has underpinned our successful commemoration of events to date.

Our objective remains to recognise the differing perspectives on our shared history and seek to strengthen peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, and between Britain and Ireland.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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61. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he spoke with the UK opposition leader during his recent visit to the UK. [39100/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I visited London and Oxford in early September, which gave me the opportunity to continue my engagements with a wide range of stakeholders in the United Kingdom.

On this occasion I visited the London Irish Centre, who do valuable work in support of the Irish community and where I had the opportunity to meet Irish community leaders from across London.

I then travelled to Oxford to attend the British-Irish Association’s annual conference, where I delivered the opening address. The annual BIA conference is an opportunity to reflect on relationships across these islands, and on the continuing journey of peace and reconciliation underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. I was pleased that the conference once again saw high-level attendance by UK government representatives, senior opposition politicians, as well as politicians from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

I continue to prioritise regular engagement with a wide range of UK political figures, in government and in opposition, as we further our work to strengthen British-Irish relations in a post-Brexit context. I did not, however, meet with Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, during this recent visit.