Martin Tells Burnham Governments Have a Duty to Progress Good Friday Agreement

Micheál Martin, the taoiseach, has told Prime Minister Andy Burnham that their governments have a duty to mind and progress the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

The two leaders met at Number 10 North in Manchester on Friday, where Burnham said the relationship between the UK and Ireland mattered on every single level. They were expected to discuss a further strengthening of ties, including boosting trade and security co-operation and working with the European Union. The prime minister said they were working together to uphold the principles of the peace deal for Northern Ireland.

Speaking ahead of their talks, Burnham said it felt very fitting to welcome Martin as the first international visitor to Number 10 North. He added that, as co-custodians of the Good Friday Agreement, the two governments were working together to uphold its principles as the 30th anniversary approached. The agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, was a political deal designed to bring an end to 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles.

The taoiseach expressed his sympathies to Burnham following the recent death of his father, and said he appreciated the meeting going ahead. He told the prime minister that his sense of duty shone through. Martin said that in a global world marked by uncertainty it was important that two close neighbours continue their very strong engagement. We are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, he added, and we have very significant obligations to mind it and to progress it. He said he was also looking forward to discussing even stronger and closer relationships between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which would benefit both the EU and Ireland.