Kenny, Cameron ink 10-year agreement on British-Irish ties
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and British Prime Minister David Cameron have signed a declaration of cooperation between Ireland and Britain over the next 10 years.
The two leaders met in London today and discussed issues relating to health, education, tourism, energy and sport and the peace process in the North.
They also announced the establishment of a new Chamber of Commerce between Ireland and Britain to further promote trade links.
Speaking after the meeting, the Taoiseach said he also discussed the current crisis in the eurozone with Mr Cameron and shared his views on the forthcoming Fiscal Compact treaty referendum.
"We reflected on the eurozone and the European institutions," Mr Kenny said.
"I gave the Prime Minister a view in respect of the referendum to be held in Ireland arising from the Fiscal Compact, which Ireland supports very strongly and which we will ask our people to ratify in due course."
Mr Cameron highlighted agreement on the future direction of the European Union as the pair talked about the “next decade” document at Downing Street.
It also expressed “continuing and unqualified support” for the Good Friday Agreement and other accords surrounding the peace process.
But the two leaders remained directly at odds over Mr Cameron’s decision not to order a public inquiry into the 1989 murder by loyalist gunmen of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
Mr Cameron has instead appointed lawyer Sir Desmond de Silva to consider evidence in the case – in apparent contradiction of a 2001 agreement to probe crimes involving state collusion.
Mr Finucane’s family have been granted a judicial review of the decision
Speaking after talks at Number 10, Mr Kenny said: “I have a difference of opinion here with the Prime Minister” and pledged to continue making the case for a full review.
Mr Cameron, though he said he understood the opposition to his decision from the family and others, defended his stance.
“It’s not the nature of the review that matters; what matters is getting to the truth,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s necessary for us to have a lengthy, judge-led, judicial review, with all the problems and costs and expense and time that that takes.”
Aside from that issue – and differences of opinion over Irish and English chances in rugby and horse racing fixtures this week – the pair both expressed optimism about current relations.
Mr Cameron said: “We are determined not to roll back on our heels in this moment but actually roll up our sleeves and make the relationship mean even more.”
In the past, leaders of the two nations “would have been talking about political processes, prisons, parades, policing”, he said.
“But instead of this there is another ’p’ which is an entirely positive agenda between Britain and Ireland.”
Pointing out that it was very rare for an Irish leader to visit London in the days leading up to St Patrick’s Day celebrations, Mr Kenny said: “It covers a very broad spectrum of reality here...recognising that the relationship between Ireland and Britain is now at an unprecedentedly high level of co-operation and interaction in trade and business which is to the benefit of both.”
Speaking about St Patrick’s Day on Saturday, Mr Cameron joked about London’s Tory mayor: “I can’t promise that Boris will dye his hair green but you never know, it’s an election so he might.”
Mr Kenny later joined business leaders at the Irish Embassy for the London launch of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, established last year to coincide with the Queen’s visit to Ireland.
He said it was time for “a new phase in British-Irish relations”.
“Our collective challenge is to work together to build business opportunities in Ireland and Britain that will stimulate growth and create employment,” he said.
“The Irish government is committed to helping the Chamber in its mission and I and my colleagues look forward to working closely with the British Irish Chamber of Commerce in the future.”
