Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

91. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to the new UK foreign secretary. [48213/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I had a short introductory phone call with the new UK Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, on Monday 8 September 2025.

I congratulated the Foreign Secretary on her new role and assured her that I look forward to building on the positive relationship that I enjoyed with her predecessor.

In our discussion, we noted the recent positive developments in the relationship between our two countries, including the Ireland-UK Summit held earlier this year and the shared commitments in the UK-Ireland Joint Statement agreed at that time.

Our conversation also touched upon international events, in particular in the Middle East and in Ukraine, where we both condemned the horrific recent attacks by Russia.

I also took the opportunity to invite the Foreign Secretary to Dublin.