Minister McEntee to visit Belfast

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, will travel to Belfast today, 7 January, for a series of engagements.

The Minister will meet with Alliance Party leader and Minister for Justice, Naomi Long, UUP leader and Minister for Health, Mike Nesbitt, SDLP leader of the opposition at Stormont, Matthew O’Toole, and the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Edwin Poots.

Minister McEntee will also meet with representatives of Troubles victims and survivors groups and visit St Malachy’s College, which has received funding through the Government’s Reconciliation Fund.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Minister said: “Making an early visit to Northern Ireland has been a priority for me since taking on the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister in December and I am looking forward to further engagements with political leaders today.

“These meetings are an important opportunity to discuss current priorities and shared challenges, and to outline key priorities for this Government. Those include our ongoing work to address the legacy of the Troubles, the Shared Island Initiative, and the essential work of promoting reconciliation on the island.

“Northern Ireland was a focus for me as Minister for Justice, including legacy issues. That is why one of my immediate priorities upon taking up office is to hear from victims and survivors groups. Their views are vital as we work to put in place mechanisms that can provide truth, accountability, and, where possible, justice for victims and survivors.

“I also look forward to meeting with students and teachers from St Malachy's College, a recipient of funding through the Reconciliation Fund, promoting reconciliation at a grass roots level amongst young people in North Belfast.”

ENDS

Press Office

6 January 2026