New ‘imperatives’ to consider in UK-EU relationship, Taoiseach says
(Left to right) Taoiseach Micheal Martin, First Minister Michelle O'Neill, and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, speaking after a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) at the NSMC headquarters in Armagh today. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA
The UK has to deal with different “imperatives” in its relationship with the EU after Brexit “irrespective of who’s in government”, the Taoiseach has said.
Micheál Martin was responding to a question on whether he was concerned a shift to a Reform UK government could impact UK-EU relations.
Ireland will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU between July and the end of the year, making it responsible for planning and chairing council meetings and negotiations — as well as representing the council in discussions with the European Parliament and European Commission.
It was platformed as an opportunity for “pragmatic engagement” between the UK and the EU on issues affecting Northern Ireland at a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Armagh on Friday.
Mr Martin said he had “no doubt” that the “very good relationship” Ireland enjoys with the UK government would continue. He said: “It’s a sensible, pragmatic one, and we support the thrust of the desire to have a pragmatic, sensible relationship with the European Union — we think everybody can benefit from that.”
A press conference following the summit was held as counting continued in council elections in England — where Nigel Farage's Reform UK made major gains — as well as for parliament seats in Scotland and Wales.
Asked if he was concerned that Mr Farage potentially being the next prime minister could impact EU-UK relations, Mr Martin said Ireland’s presidency will deal with the current UK government and warned that local and general elections are “two different beasts completely”.
Mr Martin said: “Our view is and our perspective is that we believe that a good relationship between the European Union and United Kingdom is an important one.”
He said that “irrespective of who’s in government”, there are “imperatives out there now” that were not present before Brexit.
He said successive shocks had created anxiety and fear for the future in the public, pointing to “seismic change” within the last 10 years due to Brexit, the covid-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, tariffs, and the war in the Middle East.
Mr Martin told reporters: “Hence that growing rapprochement between the European Union and the United Kingdom has that broader compass in mind, in terms of security and defence, European self-defence.”
He added: “These are realities any government will have to deal with.
Mr Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris cautioned that politics was becoming more fragmented across the world.
Mr Harris said: “In Ireland, we’ve worked long and hard enough to disentangle ourselves from British elections — so I’m not going to comment on an election that takes place in a different country.”
He said the relationship between Ireland and the UK was the best it had been since Brexit, and given there had been no change of government in the UK, he expects that “to continue”.
Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said Ireland's EU presidency will be an opportunity to “show that the EU-UK relationship will continue to be a priority for Ireland”.
Ms McEntee emphasised the need for the EU, UK, and US to work closely together on “overall security” and called for increased work on protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
Northern Ireland first minister Michelle O’Neill said global volatility was high on the agenda for the meeting, with leaders focused on “how we can help people through this crisis”.
The meeting came a day after the leaders attended a signing ceremony for the delivery of faster trains between Belfast and Dublin, to enter service in 2030.
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