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Minister Flanagan will meet bilaterally with new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, will accompany the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the extraordinary British Irish Council Summit in Cardiff today (Friday). Minister Flanagan will also meet bilaterally with the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, Minister Flanagan said:

“The British Irish Council provides a very valuable forum for the eight administrations involved to discuss matters of mutual concern and I would like to thank the Welsh Government for convening this extraordinary Summit to discuss the implications of Britain’s decision to leave the EU. The main areas of concern to all members of the Council are the economy and trade, the Common Travel Area, the status of our citizens and the UK’s future relations with the EU, and I am looking forward to this opportunity to discuss these issues with our friends and colleagues from across these islands.

“I look forward also to meeting in person for the first time with the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire. Both of us have already made clear our shared commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions. The protection of this foundational agreement and continuing all of the subsequent progress made in building peace, reconciliation and prosperity in Northern Ireland is I know an objective which is shared by the British and Irish Government and by the Northern Ireland Executive.

“I will also be discussing with the Secretary of State how we can maintain progress on the range of other priority issues relating to Northern Ireland, including full implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements in particular addressing the legacy of the past.”