Starmer to visit Dublin as Harris says reset of Anglo-Irish relations is real

Sir Keir Starmer has accepted an invitation to visit Dublin in September as Irish premier Simon Harris insisted a reset of Ango-Irish relations is “real”.

The two leaders met at Chequers on Wednesday evening and pledged to hold annual summits to “deepen and re-invigorate co-operation”.

Mr Harris is the first international leader to visit the UK since Sir Keir was elected as Prime Minister .

Speaking after their meeting, the Taoiseach said: “I am really pleased to confirm that the reset I have been speaking about in terms of Anglo-Irish relations is real.

“It is under way and it is meaningful.”

I must say I am really pleased that the British Prime Minister has accepted my invitation to have a return visit to Dublin on September 7

Mr Harris said a number of topics had been discussed at their meeting.

He said: “We discussed Northern Ireland, we discussed issues in relation to the EU and the UK’s relationship with the European Union.

“We discussed international issues in relation to Ukraine and Gaza.

“I must say I am really pleased that the British Prime Minister has accepted my invitation to have a return visit to Dublin on September 7.

“We have also agreed to put in place a structure where the British and Irish governments each year would have a summit led by the Prime Minister and myself where we could focus on key issues.

“From that summit a work programme would flow which we would task various ministers with taking forward with their counterparts.

“This, I believe, is all really significant and substantive progress.”

England are due to play Ireland at the Nations League football international in Dublin on September 7.

Mr Harris said he left the meeting convinced that the Prime Minister wants a closer relationship with the European Union.

He said: “I think the Prime Minister realises that in the first instance this is about rebuilding interpersonal relationships across the European Union with other heads of government.

“About having early engagement with European colleagues and counterparts.

“Ireland is very keen to see a closer relationship between the UK and Europe, we believe it is in our interests, we also believe it is in the interests of the European Union to have its closest neighbour with a closer relationship.

“I think time will tell what that looks like.

“In the first instance it is entirely appropriate that a Prime Minister who is only in office 13 days has the opportunity to tease through with his own team what that looks like.

“But when we reach moments of engagement Ireland of course will be willing to discuss issues with our European colleagues in terms of what a closer relationship could look like.

“What I have definitely left Chequers knowing is that you have a British Prime Minister who wants to see a closer relationship with the European Union.”

I am very pleased to have this very early opportunity to, what I see as resetting, strengthening and deepening our relationship

Before their bilateral meeting, Sir Keir and Mr Harris had enjoyed a pint of Guinness and discussed relations between the two countries.

Mr Harris presented the Prime Minister with a Donegal football jersey. Sir Keir presented the Taoiseach with a Downing Street whisky decanter set.

Sir Keir said: “I am very pleased to have this very early opportunity to, what I see as resetting, strengthening and deepening our relationship.”

Mr Harris responded: “I am delighted to be here too, to congratulate you in person.

“It means a lot to us, a lot to Ireland.”

The relationship between London and Dublin has been under severe strain in recent years.

The turbulence caused by Brexit and the Conservative government’s controversial laws to deal with the legacy of the Troubles were areas of major tension.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on Wednesday that the Labour government will repeal the Legacy Act.

Mr Harris described this as “very significant”.

Asked if he would now withdraw a legal case Ireland has begun against the UK over the Act, Mr Harris said: “Ireland never wanted to find itself with an interstate case against our nearest neighbour.

“As the Taoiseach I certainly don’t want to see that situation having to continue.

“But this is step by step.

“Today was a very significant day. Not only now do we have the manifesto of Keir Starmer’s party committing to repealing and replacing the Legacy Act, we now have the King’s Speech of the Prime Minister’s Government outlining its commitment to repealing and replacing it.

“The Prime Minister and I had the opportunity to discuss that this evening, we have also agreed to work together on what replacement might look like.”

The meeting between the two leaders is took place on the eve of a major summit of European leaders at Blenheim Palace.