“I have been in contact with Michel Barnier this afternoon to congratulate him on his appointment as Prime Minister of France.

Michel is well known to the people of Ireland for his role leading the negotiations for the EU during Brexit. He is a committed European, a great friend of Ireland’s, and a politician of substance and experience.

I wish him well as he takes up his role at this important time and I look forward to working with him, with President Macron, and the Government of France.”