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An Taoiseach speaks to Prime Minister Johnson

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar and the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke this evening on the phone.

The main focus of the twenty minute discussion was the Covid 19 situation and the actions being taken by the two Governments. They agreed on the need to keep in contact and align their actions, in so far as possible, on the matter. The Prime Minister outlined the steps he announced yesterday to close the schools. The Taoiseach welcomed this decision which had brought a greater closeness between the position in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

They also discussed developments in Europe and internationally and agreed on the importance of close co-operation in the context of the operation of the common travel area between Britain and Ireland.

They both expressed the wish that political parties in Northern Ireland work collaboratively in the restored Executive. They also discussed the recent British proposals concerning how to handle legacy issues.