Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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79. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on all communications he has had with the new British government at ministerial and governmental level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4851/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since taking up my role as Tánaiste, I have had early calls with both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP, and with Foreign Secretary, David Lammy.

My call with the Secretary of State was an opportunity to reiterate our commitment to work together to fulfil our shared responsibilities as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, including in finding a way forward on legacy issues. I also expect to meet with the Secretary of State in the coming weeks.

During my recent call with Foreign Secretary David Lammy, we discussed the shared global challenges that we face. We focussed on the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan, and reflected on the transatlantic relationship. We look forward to meeting in-person soon.

In my previous capacity as Taoiseach, I met with Prime Minister Starmer shortly after he took up office. In September, I welcomed the Prime Minister to Dublin where we agreed on an ambitious renewal of the British Irish relationship as reflected in our Joint Statement. This has laid the foundations for the new positive momentum in our relationship, which we look forward to realising further in the first annual Ireland UK Summit later this spring.