Taoiseach to meet Kier Starmer to continue 'reset' of Anglo-Irish relations

At their meeting in the Prime Minister's country retreat of Chequers in July, the two leaders agreed a new system by where Ireland and the UK would hold a summit each year led by the leader of each country. 

Taoiseach Simon Harris will meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday as the two men continue the "reset" of Anglo-Irish relations.

Sources said that it is likely that the bilateral meeting between the two men will see further progress on a new mechanism for co-operation between the two countries, after years of icy relations due to Brexit.

At their meeting in the Prime Minister's country retreat of Chequers in July, the two leaders agreed a new system by where Ireland and the UK would hold a summit each year led by the leader of each country. 

At the time, Mr Harris said that this would be a more straightforward institution than the likes of the British-Irish Council and would see inter-ministerial meetings becoming more frequent. 

Irish governments had felt since the UK's vote to leave the EU that there had been a lack of "facetime" with UK Prime Ministers, but Mr Harris has hailed Mr Starmer as a "gamechanger" in this regard.

It is expected that the pair will meet at Farmleigh in the morning, before attending the Ireland v England soccer match together in the afternoon. The meeting will be Mr Harris's second at the Phoenix Park venue this week, having hosted Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden on Monday before visiting Kyiv on Wednesday.

Mr Starmer has made much of his desire to reset relations between the two countries and protect the Good Friday Agreement and powersharing in the North. 

That has been warmly welcomed in Irish political circles and government sources have said that Mr Starmer has "been as good as his word", pointing to the pledge to repeal the Legacy Act, which gave immunity to those accused of Troubles-era killings in the North.

Likewise, the appointment of Hillary Benn as Northern Secretary has been welcomed in Dublin. Mr Benn is seen not just as a political heavyweight, but as someone who understands the North and is willing to work across communities.

Keir Starmer has made much of his desire to reset relations between the two countries and protect the Good Friday Agreement and powersharing in the North. Photo: Benjamin Cremel/PA

Sources said that there is now a "clearer understanding" and "more transparency" between the two sides and that the yearly summit will be "an important piece" of the renewed relationship. 

Mr Harris has previously signalled that it will be run through the Taoiseach and Prime Minister of the day, which will make it what Irish government sources call an "executive-level" organisation.

At the July meeting, Mr Starmer said the fact the Taoiseach was the first world leader he received was "symbolic" of the importance of the relationship. Mr Starmer said the role of both governments in protecting the Good Friday Agreement is “really important” and the two countries would work together on issues surrounding Northern Ireland.

“We will move on together to the next chapter of a stronger and deeper relationship," he said.

The two will discuss pressing international issues, including the situation in Ukraine and in Gaza.

Following their meeting, the Taoiseach and Prime Minister will co-host a roundtable discussion with business representatives to hear their assessment of trends and opportunities in the Ireland-UK trade and investment environment.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Harris said: This will mean working on a joint plan to bring about a step-change in ambition and engagement between our two Governments over the coming period.

"We will also discuss, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, how to ensure that this moment of reset benefits the totality of relations across these islands today and into the future.”

Mr Starmer's arrival to Dublin will see a major security operation undertaken, as it coincides with the Nations League football match between Ireland and England. 

English police from the Football Intelligence Unit have travelled to the capital to assist gardaí with policing of English fans, with around 3,000 away tickets allocated for the game.