Northern Ireland, the impact of Storm Éowyn and international issues including Ukraine and Gaza were discussed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and British prime minister Keir Starmer on Monday.
It was the first phone call between the two leaders since Mr Martin was elected Taoiseach last week.
According to a Government statement, the pair “reaffirmed the importance of the Irish-British relationship” and looked forward to the first in a series of annual Ireland-UK summits that will be hosted by Britain in March.
The impact of Éowyn and ongoing recovery efforts were also raised, with Mr Martin welcoming the assistance provided to the ESB by UK crews as part of a mutual association agreement among electricity companies.
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They discussed Northern Ireland and legacy issues there as well as a number of international issues including Monday’s commemoration at Auschwitz.
Mr Martin and Mr Starmer expect to meet at an informal meeting of the European Council in Belgium next week.
After the call, Mr Martin said he was pleased to speak with Mr Starmer. “We are both committed to making 2025 an important and defining year for Irish-British relations as we initiate a series of annual summits to drive a programme of strategic co-operation between our two countries,” he said.
“We spoke about Northern Ireland and our shared vision as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement to furthering prosperity and reconciliation to the benefit of all.
“We discussed global issues, including Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, in particular the need for a surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
Mr Martin added: “Later today I will be attending an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
“We discussed the importance of remaining committed today to combating anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination, intolerance and racism.”
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