Hope for resolution of NI Protocol stand-off

Micheál’s ‘warm meeting’ with British PM Liz Truss ‘an opportunity’

‘The change will make a difference’

THE Government is hopeful yesterday’s unofficial bilateral between Micheál Martin and Liz Truss will signal a thaw in the current glacial state of Anglo-Irish relations.

The Taoiseach met new British prime minister Liz Truss at 10 Downing Street for 45 minutes yesterday morning after flying to London for today’s funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Significantly, Mr Martin was one of only five of 500 world leaders whom the British PM met in Downing Street.

The others were the leaders of the Commonwealth states of Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Ms Truss also met with the leader of Poland while a meeting with US president Joe Biden was rescheduled.

Protocol surrounding the Queen’s death and the ongoing period of mourning meant no statements or press releases were issued after the 45-minute meeting.

One diplomatic source noted: ‘The UK prime minister is astute enough to know that she has enough on her plate without a draining Brexit border war. She is not an ideologue. Serious signals have been sent to the DUP.’

Ms Truss was originally opposed to Brexit in 2016 but, in the wake of the pro-Brexit vote, she abandoned her position and backed the winning side.

At the meeting, Mr Martin offered condolences to Ms Truss on the death of the Queen. It is believed the two leaders also discussed the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

The key issue of the meeting was the longevity, depth, and ongoing importance of the Anglo-Irish relationship.

This is believed to have included a lengthy discussion of the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which has plunged Anglo Irish relations into the deepest freeze since the Thatcher era.

It is believed that Mr Martin and Ms Truss agreed that an opportunity exists for the EU and UK now to find a negotiated outcome that would resolve the issue for once and for all.

One source noted: ‘The change will make a difference. Boris and Micheál were an utterly odd couple. Liz Truss is not going to die in a ditch for the DUP. There is an opportunity.

‘Both are dealing with enough existential issues. There’s no votes in Stormont for Liz and the DUP may, if that’s possible, be a little humbler after their royal snub.’

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ that the situation may now be solved in resumed talks.

But concern remains high over the British government’s intention to give ministers the power unilaterally to scrap parts of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol.

As British foreign secretary, Ms Truss introduced the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.

It is expected the issue will remain a key barrier to the attempt in October to form a new Northern Ireland Executive, which the DUP has so far blocked in protest over the Protocol’s implementation and its trade border between the North and Britain.

In a radio interview, the Taoiseach said he had an ‘initial warm meeting’ with the new prime minister, where they discussed ‘many issues’ in the context of Anglo-Irish relations. However, he said it was not the time to get into the detail of issues like the Protocol as it is ‘a moment of national mourning in the UK. And I respect that,’ he added.

Mr Martin also noted of the death of the Queen: ‘What this sad moment brings to mind, really places an obligation on this generation of leaders, is to take the lesson from Queen Elizabeth’s actions to understand that the British-Irish relationship needs constant nurturing.

‘We need to reflect at this time on how best to move forward in peace and reconciliation in mutual understanding.’

‘The relationship needs nurturing’