Ireland’s premier Simon Harris said the election of a Labour government in the UK could herald a “great reset” in Anglo-Irish relations.
The Taoiseach said he looks forward to working closely with Sir Keir Starmer, as the Labour leader assembled his Cabinet hours after arriving at No 10.
“The relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom is deeply consequential for all people across these islands and the relationship between an Irish Taoiseach and a British Prime Minister is vital,” Mr Harris said.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she raised the need to “reset” British-Irish relations and with the Executive when she spoke to Sir Keir on Friday evening.
The Sinn Fein vice-president also raised health funding, the redevelopment of Casement Park and the controversial Legacy Act.
Today is about looking forward. It's about realising the full potential of that relationship between Taoiseach and Prime Minister and between our governments
“I urged the Prime Minister to follow through on his commitments to bin the Tories’ shameful Legacy Act which has failed victims and survivors,” Ms O’Neill said.
“I will continue to press the British government on the things that matter most people, delivering for public services and all our communities as we engage in the days ahead.”
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that she hopes “this new horizon is grasped by the Labour Party”, adding “there’s a lot to be repaired”.
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Ireland’s deputy premier Micheal Martin said the Anglo-Irish relationship was both rich and important, after speaking with the newly appointed British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Friday.
Mr Martin, who is Minister for Foreign Affairs, said the new UK government offered a “significant opportunity” and that there was much to discuss.
The relationship between London and Dublin has been under severe strain in recent years.
The turbulence caused by Brexit and the Conservative government’s controversial laws to deal with the legacy of the Troubles were areas of major tension.
Sir Keir has pledged to repeal the legislation that offered conditional immunity for perpetrators of Troubles crimes.
“Today is about looking forward,” Mr Harris said as he addressed reporters at Government Buildings in Dublin.
“It’s about realising the full potential of that relationship between Taoiseach and Prime Minister and between our governments.
“I know that Keir Starmer and I share a desire for it to go from strength to strength. It is time for a great reset.
“In the Labour Party manifesto the language towards Ireland was language of partnership and as co-guarantors of our shared peace. This morning from Dublin I want to send a message to London that I will match Keir Starmer’s commitment and energy to our peace process and to our future potential in so many areas.
“I will work to make the Taoiseach/Prime Minister relationship not only what it should be, but what it could be.
“Ireland and the UK are not only neighbours, we are independent nations that are intertwined in history and culture. In many, many instances, we are, in fact, family. We have never forgotten that, not for one moment, no matter what challenges came our way.”
Mr Harris added: “I look forward to early engagement with Prime Minister Starmer. We will say more on that in the hours and days ahead, but he has a few other things to do first.”
We agreed that there is now a significant opportunity for a reset of our bilateral relationship. There is much for us to discuss and I am looking forward to engaging on all these issues with the Foreign Secretary over the period ahead
Mr Martin said: “I was pleased to speak this evening with the new UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and to congratulate him on Labour’s election victory and his appointment to his new role.
“We agreed that there is now a significant opportunity for a reset of our bilateral relationship.
“There is much for us to discuss and I am looking forward to engaging on all these issues with the Foreign Secretary over the period ahead.
“Our countries share a relationship that is as rich as it is important. We are near neighbours with close cultural connections. We are significant trading partners with countless family ties, reaching across these islands.
“Most critically, together, the British and Irish governments are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. I look forward to building on that foundation to ensure positive progress together and to take forward our shared agenda.”
On Thursday evening, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Sir Keir “is somebody we have a good relationship with”, calling Labour’s victory an “extraordinary” outcome.