Keir Starmer Visits Ireland To Extend Friendly Hand To Fix Relations

Keir Starmer has expressed his belief that a “deep” reset of relations with Ireland is possible following his arrival in Dublin for his first official visit.

The agenda for this visit includes discussions on Northern Ireland, Brexit, and shared international interests.

This marks the first official visit by a British prime minister since Boris Johnson’s trip in 2019, which aimed to salvage a Brexit deal amid strained relations.

Five years later, the atmosphere was hopeful as Starmer was welcomed by Taoiseach Simon Harris.

“It’s a pleasure to be here and to have this opportunity to renew the friendship between our two countries,” Starmer stated.

He emphasized that this reset could be profound and significant, encompassing the relationship between the UK and Ireland, as well as the Good Friday Agreement, which he regards with utmost seriousness.

This is Starmer’s second meeting with Harris within nine weeks following the general election, reflecting a genuine intention to restore relations for the mutual benefit of the UK and Ireland, according to Starmer.

The discussions also covered pressing international issues, including the situation in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.

Regarding the Middle East, Starmer stressed the need for a ceasefire to facilitate the release of remaining hostages, allow essential aid into Gaza, and advance toward a two-state settlement, which he believes is the only viable solution for lasting peace.

Harris has indicated that both Ireland and Britain share a “collective wish to see a cessation of violence in Gaza.”

Before their discussions, Starmer and Harris met nine-year-old Freddie Munnelly from Castleknock, Dublin, who had a liver transplant in the UK.

The young boy gifted the leaders scarves to wear at the Ireland vs. England football match at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

The leaders will also participate in a business roundtable in Dublin with representatives from Primark, dairy giant Ornua, and Dawn Meats, among others, to look through how a “reset” in relations can enhance trade.

Earlier on Saturday, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn addressed the British Irish Association in Oxford, affirming his commitment to fully implementing the Brexit protocols for Northern Ireland.

This is crucial for demonstrating seriousness in resetting the EU deal, including securing a veterinary agreement.

“We will implement the Windsor framework [Northern Ireland trading arrangements] with pragmatic good faith, both to negotiate a veterinary agreement with the EU and to protect the open border on the island of Ireland,” Benn said.

However, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin warned that there would be no “à la carte” options for the UK in this reset, even with a more pro-European government in power in the UK.