Minister McEntee to address the British-Irish Association annual conference

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, will today (4 September) deliver a wide-ranging address on relations across these islands at the British Irish Association conference in Oxford.

Founded in 1972, the annual conference brings together leaders from politics, business, and civil society from across Britain and Ireland.

The Minister will also participate in a joint discussion with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Bryant MP. This follows their meeting last week in Dublin.

Minister McEntee will discuss how global developments are affecting relations on the island of Ireland and across these islands, with social media amplifying sectarian voices online, and both Britain and Ireland facing challenges in climate, energy, and security.

Speaking ahead of the conference, the Minister said:

“Relations across these islands are being reshaped by the changes we are seeing in the international environment: political, economic, environmental, technological.

“These are shared challenges, no matter where you live or what your identity.

“My Government is committed to working in partnership with the governments and devolved administrations of the UK to respond to those same challenges.

“The UK-Ireland Joint Statement 2030 sets an ambitious agenda for our bilateral relationship, while the Shared Island Initiative is building a more connected, prosperous and sustainable island of Ireland. We are working to unlock the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement, backed by unprecedented investment in cross-border cooperation, with €2bn to be allocated through to 2035.

“I am committed to making the reset in Ireland-UK relations deliver for people across the island of Ireland. That includes delivering truth, accountability, and where we can, justice for families affected by the Troubles.

“We are doing our part to implement the Joint Framework on Legacy, which we agreed last year. I am confident that we can, in a spirit of partnership and determination, take the next step to finally address this unfinished business of the peace process.”

ENDS