Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Irish Foreign Minister and Minister for Defence Helen McEntee said Ireland’s relationship with the United Kingdom is in a very good place and continues to grow stronger.
Speaking at the Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers — Gymnich in Druids Glen, County Wicklow, Ireland, McEntee said she had held good discussions with Ed Miliband, including over dinner and in a follow-up meeting.
She said Ireland and the UK have strengthened their relationship over the past two years through summits, engagement and cooperation across North–South, East–West and wider foreign-policy channels.
McEntee also said Ireland is keen to move forward in the UK’s relationship with the European Union, after progress on issues including SPS, ETS, youth mobility and other areas.
She said Ireland wants to work closely with the UK and EU partners on security and defence, a topic also discussed during the Gymnich meeting.
On a possible border poll in Northern Ireland, McEntee said Ireland must be prepared, but stressed that the decision belongs to the people of Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has a specific role.
She said her party is working on a blueprint so that, when the time comes, Ireland is ready to answer questions and engage with different possible outcomes.
Her message was clear: Ireland and the UK must keep building trust, deepen cooperation with the EU, and continue bringing communities together through the Shared Island approach.
#eudebates #McEntee #Ireland #UnitedKingdom #Brexit
Irish Foreign Minister and Minister for Defence Helen McEntee said Ireland’s relationship with the United Kingdom is in a very good place and continues to grow stronger.
Speaking at the Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers — Gymnich in Druids Glen, County Wicklow, Ireland, McEntee said she had held good discussions with Ed Miliband, including over dinner and in a follow-up meeting.
She said Ireland and the UK have strengthened their relationship over the past two years through summits, engagement and cooperation across North–South, East–West and wider foreign-policy channels.
McEntee also said Ireland is keen to move forward in the UK’s relationship with the European Union, after progress on issues including SPS, ETS, youth mobility and other areas.
She said Ireland wants to work closely with the UK and EU partners on security and defence, a topic also discussed during the Gymnich meeting.
On a possible border poll in Northern Ireland, McEntee said Ireland must be prepared, but stressed that the decision belongs to the people of Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has a specific role.
She said her party is working on a blueprint so that, when the time comes, Ireland is ready to answer questions and engage with different possible outcomes.
Her message was clear: Ireland and the UK must keep building trust, deepen cooperation with the EU, and continue bringing communities together through the Shared Island approach.
#eudebates #McEntee #Ireland #UnitedKingdom #Brexit
