Minister Byrne to meet with UK Counterpart Minister Doughty

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, will today (3 July) host the UK Minister of State for Europe, North Americas and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP, in Iveagh House.

Following their meeting in London in April, the visit to Dublin by Minister Doughty is a useful opportunity for the Ministers to discuss the vitally important British-Irish relationship, EU-UK relations, and developments in the wider international environment.

Ahead of the meeting, Minister Byrne said: “I look forward to welcoming Minister Doughty to Dublin following our meeting in London last April. We both share serious ambition for the relationship between Ireland and the UK, and for what our partnership can deliver. Ours is a relationship of profound significance, underpinned by our Governments’ roles as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement.

“Minister Doughty and I will discuss the work already underway across both Governments to advance the extensive and ambitious Joint Statement 2030 programme of cooperation, agreed at the first annual UK-Ireland Summit, in Liverpool in March. This includes our ongoing efforts to support our trading relationship, worth €2.5 billion per week, as well as closer co-operation on security and foreign policy matters.”

Minister Byrne continued: “I also welcome the outcome of the EU-UK Summit in May. The strategic partnership and agenda for co-operation agreed between the EU and the UK marks a new chapter in that relationship, which it is hoped will be of real benefit to citizens.

“Today’s meeting is an important opportunity to share perspectives on some of these challenges – the Middle East and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, in particular, and the critical situation in Ukraine, in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.”

ENDS

Press Office

3 July 2025