Armagh: Leo Varadkar to attend final major political engagement as Taoiseach

Leo Varadkar was expected in Armagh today (Monday) to attend the first meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in nearly three years.

It will be his final major political engagement as Taoiseach.

Simon Harris, his successor as Fine Gael leader, was also due to attend before his expected election as the new Taoiseach in the Dail tomorrow.

The meeting in Armagh will be chaired by Stormont First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly.

The council is the primary north-south political body established under the Good Friday Agreement.

It was unable to function during the two-year political impasse at Stormont, but the restoration of devolution earlier this year enabled its reactivation.

The last meeting was a virtual one held during the Covid pandemic in 2021.

The last in-person meeting of the council was in July 2020.

Discussions are set to focus on trade and business issues and investment in areas of mutual interest.

Mr Varadkar said it was an honour to end his tenure as Taoiseach by attending the council.

"This plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council is a really significant and positive moment for the island of Ireland," he said.

"It's an honour to lead the Irish delegation of ministers to meet with our Northern Ireland Executive counterparts in my last major engagement as Taoiseach.

"Many of the challenges facing the world today are shared across the island, whether climate change, energy security, good jobs, and ensuring that our workforces have the skills they need for the future.

"I will also take this opportunity to wish the First Minister and deputy First Minister well in their roles to achieve the best for all the people of Northern Ireland.

"We are working with the Executive to build on the peace and prosperity of the last 26 years to make sure it is shared by all."