Twenty-Sixth Plenary Meeting of the North South Ministerial Council, Friday 30 July 2021

The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, will today (Friday) host the twenty-sixth plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), which will take place via video conference.

The Taoiseach will be joined by the Tánaiste and members of the Cabinet who will be meeting collectively with the Northern Ireland Executive, led by First Minister Paul Givan and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill.

At the plenary, the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive meet formally to exchange views on issues of mutual interest and concern.

Speaking in advance of the meeting the Taoiseach said:

'I look forward to hosting this plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council, as it will provide a welcome occasion to discuss a wide range of topics with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive, including the response to COVID-19 on the island of Ireland, and our mutual commitment to the implementation of the New Decade, New Approach Agreement.

'It will also be an important opportunity to emphasise the government's full support for strengthening North-South co-operation to the benefit of all the people on the island.'