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TÁNAISTE MICHEÁL MARTIN has said the restoration of the Northern Ireland political institutions and legacy will be discussed at the British Irish Association conference.
The annual conference featuring political, civic and church leaders from across the island of Ireland and Britain takes place in Oxford across today and Saturday.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and new Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn will also attend.
Martin said he will also have the opportunity to meet with Scottish Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson.
He said his discussions with Benn are expected to cover legacy issues, the restoration of the institutions in Northern Ireland and the implementation of the Windsor Framework.
The Tánaiste will address the conference on Saturday morning and take part in a joint discussion with the Northern Ireland Secretary.
“This year, the conference is taking place against the backdrop of a new and positive moment in relations between these islands,” Martin said.
“I look forward to hearing from the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and for a further opportunity to meet with the Secretary of State.
“With the return of the institutions in Northern Ireland, and a renewed commitment to partnership from the British government, this is hugely important occasion to reflect on how far we have come and to drive forward the important work ahead.
“This is a time for optimism and ambition, and this is how I hope we can approach our discussions this weekend.”
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A pity he doesn’t sort out the chaotic mess that’s CUH in his own backyard, instead of traveling to northern Ireland
@K O: As Minister of Foreign Affairs travel such as this is a requirement of the job. There may be things to whine about in relation to Micheal Martin but complaining that he is doing his job is a new one.
Cant make it up, these lads continually slate sinn fein.
Yet they are happy to sit with them concerning the north. You can’t have stormont restoration
Without them. Bet he doesnt shout down michelle when others are watching. It’s all hand shakes and smiles.
Yet people believe his rhetoric.
@Colette Byrne: It is valid to differ with SF regarding its iffy economic policies while working alongside it towards a peaceful united Ireland.
@Colette Byrne: SF are Nationalists much like UKIP and so on. I go with Einstein’s opinion on Nationalists.
Hope they don’t use the bike shed contractors for this 1….
@Padraig Devaney: what about the electrion voting machine’s?
Between purchase and storage cost the taxpayer €54 million,then they were sold for NINE EUROS PER UNIT .
He an international high flyer, opinions on everything and no solution.
FF has made persistent effort and input into stable relationships with all who live on the island of Ireland.
@thomas molloy: FF the party of great relationships for sure, literally jumped into bed with bankers and developers and took this country to the brink in 2006 and then denied we ever bailed out said banks?
@thomas molloy: Let’s hope that we will have intelligent comment and discussion on the matter at hand rather than immature electioneering bl bl bla
@thomas molloy: you’re joking Right ?
@jak: The minute you mention your rear end Martin you are losing the argument.
@jak: It’s what you are talking through.
@Tom Newell:
Shin Fein voted on that night with the goverkment to Bale out the Bankers
Only Labour vote no to the Bale out.
“With the return of the institutions in Northern Ireland, and a renewed commitment to partnership from the British government, this is hugely important occasion to reflect on how far we have come and to drive forward the important work ahead.”
How can this important work be turned into petty electioneering bitchingg by anyone.
@thomas molloy: Can’t the so called “opposition PR departments” not see that petty electioneering is loosing the votes big time.
@thomas molloy: Will he mention, you know, the thing that he and his party dare not mention? Because we’ve had over 100 years of FF and FG saying it’s not the right time? Because we don’t want to upset the unionists? It’s time we created a new Ireland for everyone.
@Anthony Curran: The crux of the matter is that ‘we’ means different things to different people. Your concept of ‘we’ may not be the same as someone else’s.
@thomas molloy: how can you support a man who stood over one of the biggest scandals in this country, organ retention.
They stole from man, woman, and child. He stands in the dail, shouting and making slurs at sinn fein constantly, and other members of his party.
Yet you are saying what a great leader he is. Mary lou is the leader of the very party he is now going to pick the boots of.
Twofaced comes to mind.
No, he is not electionteering at all.
@Colette Byrne: lick
@Colette Byrne: How can you promote a party that is the political wing of an organisation that within living memory blew men, women and children to smithereens. I suppose that is excusable because it was all for the “cause”.
@Vincent Alexander: Did your parents or grandparents vote for the civil war parties of FF and FG, parties who murdered men, women and children?
@thomas molloy: That ship sailed a while ago!
@Vincent Alexander: The British government shot innocent people on the streets (bloody Sunday), and colluded with killers to murder people suspected of crimes. Are you suggesting that nobody talks to the British government?
@Anthony Curran:
See good Friday agreement for details.
@H Woo: Is that what your bot manual says?
A shyster who couldn’t tell the truth, even if his life depended on it!
He will yeah
@Brian Hunt. I presume you are referring to the Tainiste. I worked with Hillary in the UK and found him to be basically sound!
@Padraig O’Brien: No, I meant Mehole. Don’t know much about Hillary, but his father Tony Benn was much in the news. Didn’t like his politics much but he came across as a man of decency and integrity!
@Brian Hunt:
The great socialist who used expert financel advice to minimise inheritance taxes on the transfer of his wealth to his children.
@H Woo: That’s not a hanging offence, you’d probably do the same for your children!
have your say