Martin and Johnson to attend Six Nations match at Twickenham
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and British prime minister Boris Johnson will attend the Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Twickenham collectively on Saturday in an try to enhance the tough relationship between their two governments.
During a bilateral assembly forward of the match, the 2 leaders will talk about the British-Irish relationship in mild of ongoing disputes over the Northern Ireland protocol and different points, together with Mr Johnson’s proposed amnesty for Troubles-related crimes.
The assembly is a part of a three-day go to to Britain, throughout which the Taoiseach may even attend the St Patrick’s Day parade in London. Mr Martin and Mr Johnson are anticipated to speak in regards to the disaster in Ukraine, which international secretary Liz Truss has recommended ought to encourage Britain and the European Union to resolve their variations over the protocol.
She advised the Atlantic Council in Washington: “We share a deep dedication to peace in Northern Ireland and the Belfast Good Friday Agreement. At current the Northern Ireland protocol is creating an imbalance between communities.
“The protocol must support the Good Friday Agreement and protect east-west ties as well as North-South . . . Not because one is worth more than the other, but because both are essential to peace. The UK will always act to protect our sovereignty and the union – while also working closely with our allies.”
During his go to, the Taoiseach will attend a reception hosted by the Irish-born lord mayor of the City of London, Vincent Keaveny, and an Enterprise Ireland enterprise occasion.
The Taoiseach’s go to comes because the British Labour get together holds its largest ever St Patrick’s Day programme with occasions in Manchester and London. The occasion on Friday night at Manchester’s Irish World Heritage Centre is because of function audio system together with mayor Andy Burnham and be joined by members of the Ukrainian group within the metropolis.
Address by Labour chief
Labour chief Keir Starmer will handle the British-Irish relationship at an occasion in London on Monday morning, which may even hear from Ireland’s ambassador to Britain Adrian O’Neill, Trade Union Congress chief Frances O’Grady and Tyrone-born MP Conor McGinn.
Mr McGinn mentioned: “The previous two years have been extremely robust for everybody, and the Irish group in Britain has been hit significantly arduous by Covid. But I’m actually happy with the best way everybody has come collectively, not simply to assist others within the Irish group, however all communities in Britain, and the Irish have performed a number one position in bringing us out of this well being pandemic.
“They include more than 20,000 Irish staff in the NHS in Britain and thousands more frontline workers who continue to work tirelessly to help others. And leading scientists such as Prof Teresa Lambe from Kildare who co-founded the Oxford vaccine.”
Liam Conlon, chairman of the British Labour get together’s Irish Society, mentioned the occasions demonstrated the get together’s dedication to strengthening relationships “across these islands” and supporting the Irish group in Britain.
“Not solely does the Labour get together assist the Irish group, however it’s empowering them by way of correct illustration, and we’re delighted to have a good time the progress being made by London Irish leaders in native authorities.
“Council leaders and mayors from Donegal, Dublin, Tyrone and beyond are now leading the line for Labour in local government and this is something which all of us can be proud of,” he mentioned.
