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LAST UPDATE | 12 Mar
SINN FÉIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald said she had a “very forthright” meeting with Keir Starmer in Belfast today, ahead of the British prime minister travelling to Cork for a two-day UK-Ireland Summit.
The meeting in Cork will mark the second annual UK-Ireland Summit – at last year’s Summit in Liverpool, both leaders agreed to launch a programme of cooperation dated until 2030.
But before travelling to Cork, Starmer made a visit to Belfast and McDonald said the visit “raised expectations” that he will act on the increasing cost of fuel in the North.
McDonald said the cost of living was the main topic discussed during a “very forthright” meeting.
“We’ve challenged the Prime Minister to come up with something that will actually make a difference to households right across the north that are struggling so badly and who have not seen any kind of an adequate response from London,” said McDonald.
She added: “Starmer has framed his visit in respect of cost-of-living pressures, and specifically the price gouging, but also the runaway cost of home heating oil, and he needs to come up with an answer for families all across the north.
“I fully expect, and we’ve made this plain to him, that he will have something constructive and meaningful to say in that regard when he comes and speaks to the press.”
The Sinn Féin leader said she also raised issues relating to Palestine, Iran and the UK’s arming of Israel, as well as the progress in establishing the Pat Finucane inquiry and the need for an inquiry into the death of Sean Brown, a Catholic father murdered by loyalists in 1997.
Meanwhile, when Starmer arrives in Cork, the programme for the UK-Ireland Summit will include trade, energy, maritime security, emergency planning and cultural connections.
This year’s summit, which will take place today and tomorrow, also includes a business roundtable, a civic and cultural reception and a discussion with young people from across Ireland and the UK.
A statement from the government said a focus for the Taoiseach and Starmer will be to discuss how the two countries can work more closely on infrastructure, competitiveness, clean energy, skills and innovation.
Speaking in Cork ahead of the Summit, Martin remarked that at last year’s summit, “I agreed a comprehensive programme of strategic co-operation which is now beginning to deliver for the people of these islands”.
“Today we will mark the progress on what has been achieved over the course of the past year and reaffirm our commitment to deepen and broaden further the co-operation, friendship and partnership between Ireland and the UK this year and out to 2030.”
Martin added this year’s summit takes place against “an uncertain global backdrop and will be an opportunity to take stock of international issues, including the concerning situation in the Middle East and Gulf Region, and in Ukraine”.
“Each day we see how international events can impact also on our domestic ambitions and daily lives, as well as on global security,” he added.
“We will discuss how we can strengthen competitiveness and resilience and reduce the cost of living, harness the potential of our shared seas while protecting our marine environment, deliver essential infrastructure at pace and scale, and ensure energy affordability and energy security across Ireland and the UK.”
An Garda Síochána advised the public that some roads may be closed during Starmer’s visit.
Starmer will arrive and depart at Cork Airport and a garda spokesperson said normal operations will continue at Cork Airport at all times.
However, the spokesperson added that the public should allow additional time to arrive at the airport due to possible road closures, particularly during late afternoon today and early afternoon tomorrow.
They also advised that today, between 4pm and 10pm, Lapp’s Quay, Connell Street and Terence MacSwiney Quay will be closed.
The public can also expect localised road closures to facilitate events and temporary rolling road closures to facilitate security escorts this evening and tomorrow morning.
-With additional reporting from Press Association
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