Taoiseach Micheál Martin and British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, have reaffirmed their commitment to the Good Friday Agreement at their first in person meeting.
The two had spoken on the phone in the days after Burnham became PM, but this was the first time they have met.
Andy Burnham caused upset during a visit to Northern Ireland last month when he said that a border poll was “off the table.”
Discussions about a possible referendum on Irish reunification have been turbo-charged by Donald Trump’s enthusiasm expressed last weekend.
During a visit to Ireland, the US President said he was very much in favour.
“You have Northern Ireland and you have Ireland and it would seem to me that one of the naturals of all time is to put them together,” he said.
The British government subsequently repeated its long held position that a referendum in Northern Ireland would only be held when there was a clear majority calling for it.
Earlier today, the British Prime Minister met the Taoiseach in Manchester where Burnham has opened a new office branded “No10 North”.
The Prime Minister said the two talked about Northern Ireland, but also about the UK-EU summit expected to take place during the current Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Andy Burnham said that he wanted to “deepen” relations with the EU.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said when it comes to the Good Friday Agreement, the UK and Ireland are co-guarantors which gives both parties “significant obligations to mind it and to progress it.”
The Taoiseach has previously said there was need for clarity beyond the text of the Good Friday Agreement as to how a future border poll could be held.