merrion street

The Taoiseach today met with British Prime Minister David Cameron at No 10 Downing Street.

This meeting was the first annual summit to review progress on the Joint Statement that the Taoiseach and Prime Minister signed last year, which set out ambitious plans for the development of British-Irish relations in a range of key areas over the next decade.

They also discussed the current situation in Northern Ireland, fifteen years on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Taoiseach also briefed the Prime Minister on the progress and remaining priorities of Ireland’s EU Presidency.

Following the meeting, the Taoiseach attended the CHAMP St Patrick’s Day reception sponsored by Tourism Ireland at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster.

Prior to the Summit the Taoiseach participated in a number of events in London.

His first engagement was in the City of London, where he met with the Lord Mayor, Roger Gifford before addressing an invited City audience on the Irish Economy.

He then addressed leaders of Irish and British companies at a lunch event organised by the British Irish Chamber of Commerce.

Finally the Taoiseach gave an address to an audience of 450 people at the London School of Economics at the invitation of Chairperson Peter Sutherland. His address covered Ireland’s economic recovery and the EU Presidency priorities of stability, jobs and growth.

The one day visit to London is the start of a period of intensive promotion of Ireland by the Taoiseach, both before and after St. Patrick’s Day.