Premiers to tackle cost-of-living and security at UK-Ireland summit

"The UK's close friendship with Ireland is going from strength to strength and I am pleased that we are working together on growth, energy, security and more. This new Irish investment coming into the UK is one part of a much bigger picture of our flourishing cultural, commercial and security ties."

"Topics on the agenda include how the UK and Ireland can work together to address cost-of-living challenges as well as strengthen domestic security and manage crises. An energy connector project between Northern Ireland and Ireland will help bring down electricity costs on both sides of the border, while a separate connector will link Wales and Ireland providing enough power for 570,000 homes."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin are attending the second UK-Ireland summit in Cork with government delegations from both nations. The agenda focuses on addressing cost-of-living challenges, strengthening domestic security, and managing crises. Sir Keir announced €937 million in Irish investment into the UK, generating approximately 850 new jobs. Key projects include energy connector initiatives between Northern Ireland and Ireland, and between Wales and Ireland, designed to reduce electricity costs and provide power for 570,000 homes. The summit will discuss bilateral cooperation through 2030. This follows the first annual summit held in Liverpool last year, part of a relationship reset agreed after Sir Keir became prime minister.

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