A meeting of the-British Irish Intergovernmental Conference took
place in Farmleigh in Dublin on 3 December 2024.
The Government of Ireland was represented by the Tánaiste,
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál
Martin, and the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee.
The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland was represented by the Secretary of State for
Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon MP, and the Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, MP.
Twenty-five years on from the first meeting of the British-Irish
Intergovernmental Conference, and reflecting their roles as
co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, the two Governments
discussed how they can best continue to support the effective
operation of all the institutions of the Agreement across all
three Strands.
They discussed the work underway to repeal and replace the
Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act in a way that is
human-rights compliant and can secure the support of the public
and of victims and survivors particularly. The Government of
Ireland welcomed the UK Government's decision to establish an
inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, including in the context
of the 2001 Weston Park agreement.
The Governments also discussed the work of the Omagh Bombing
Inquiry and the Government of Ireland's support for it. There was
also a discussion of the Dublin/Monaghan bombings and next steps
in relation to Operation Denton.
They reaffirmed their shared commitment to protecting the Common
Travel Area to the benefit of citizens across these islands and
noted, in particular, the importance of continued engagement with
tourism stakeholders to ensure the UK ETA scheme is rolled out
smoothly.
They discussed security cooperation and the recommendations of
the Independent Reporting Commission in relation to how to
achieve further progress on the ending of paramilitarism.
They also welcomed the ongoing work across both Governments, led
by the Taoiseach and Prime Minister, to fully realise an
ambitious renewal of the wider UK-Ireland relationship.
They agreed that the Conference would meet again in the coming
months.
