LAST UPDATE | 18 Sep

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has become the first international leader to visit No 10 North in Manchester today.

Shortly after becoming British prime minister, Andy Burnham opened a new headquarters for the centre of the UK government in Manchester.

Burnham aims to work at No 10 North, at Heron House in Manchester, once each week during his premiership, as part of his move to push power out of Westminster.

When he opened the new base back in July, he said it was the “best day of my life” and added that it was a “full circle” experience for him, as he had to leave the North to start his career.

Today’s meeting in Manchester is the first official meeting between the two since Burnham took office.

Burnham said he used today’s meeting with Martin to push for deeper ties between the UK and the European Union.

He said the relationship with Ireland “matters so much on every single level”.

Burnham added that it was “very fitting” for Martin to be the first head of government to visit the Manchester site because of the close ties between the North West and Ireland.

Martin meanwhile said he looked forward to the UK having a “stronger and closer” relationship with the EU - Ireland currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

He also remarked that it had been a “very challenging and difficult week” for Burnham following the death of his father Roy and added: “I think your sense of duty shines through”.

Martin meanwhile said he looked forward to discussing “even stronger and closer relationships between the EU and the UK, which will be of benefit to the EU and indeed to Ireland”.

Martin also thanked Burnham for his stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the UK prime minister reset his government’s approach to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and stiffened sanctions over West Bank settlements.

The meeting comes just days after US President Donald Trump made headlines by saying he would “love to see” a united Ireland while at a meeting with the Taoiseach during a visit in Dublin.

Trump said a united Ireland would “happen eventually” and that Martin was “the right man over here to get it moving”.

Ahead of the visit, a spokesperson for the British Embassy in Ireland said that Burnham and Martin were expected to focus on boosting trade, support for Ukraine, and working with the European Union as Ireland continues its presidency of the EU.

Martin’s visit comes just days after Burnham hosted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Liverpool and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in Oxford.

Following their meeting at No10 North, Burnham and Martin will visit a local Irish community centre to meet with representatives from the Irish community in Greater Manchester.

‘Missed opportunity’

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the “failure of either government to indicate that Irish unity featured in today’s meeting represents a glaring omission and missed opportunity”.

McDonald said the debate on Irish unity has “shifted dramatically in the space of just one week”.

“The reality is that events have moved on,” said McDonald.

“Irish unity cannot continue to be treated by either government as an issue that can be pushed into the distant future whenever it becomes politically inconvenient.

“We need a reset in British-Irish relations which recognises the reality of the debate now taking place across Ireland and internationally.

“It means structured engagement between both governments about how a future referendum and any subsequent constitutional change would be managed.

“Today was an opportunity for the Taoiseach to show leadership and begin a serious conversation about what comes next. Incredibly, there is no indication that he availed of that opportunity.” 

-With additional reporting from Press Association