Micheál Martin promises Irish help as Keir Starmer seeks trade reset with EU

By David Hughes, Eleanor Barlow and Rebecca Black, PA

Ireland will do anything it can to help Keir Starmer’s plan to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the European Union, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

The UK and Ireland are opening the “next chapter” in their relationship, Mr Starmer said, as ministers from the two nations discussed plans to increase co-operation.

The Taoiseach and the British prime minister were in Liverpool with senior ministers from both governments.

Mr Starmer said: “We are having this summit, we are embarking on the next chapter for our two countries, binding them ever closer together in circumstances where we’re living in an ever more volatile world.

“I think that a reset, bringing our countries closer together, is the obvious and right thing to do in any event.”

As well as closer ties with Ireland, Mr Starmer is hoping to improve the trading relationship with the European Union and rebuild relations with Brussels after the strain caused by Brexit.

“We’re strengthening our alliance with the EU.

Delighted to be in Liverpool with Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer for the inaugural UK–Ireland Summit taking place tomorrow.  

We are committed to harnessing the potential of our partnership to deliver economic, political & social benefits for people across these islands. pic.twitter.com/XLTKSrvRSn

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 5, 2025

“Now, that doesn’t mean back in the single market or customs union, but it does mean, genuinely, a closer economic relationship, finding practical ways to work more closely, create jobs and deliver economic growth,” Sir Keir said.

The prime minister and his Irish counterpart attended a business event at Liverpool’s Albert Dock on Thursday .

Mr Martin said: “It’s an extremely important relationship for Ireland and when the UK economy does well, the Irish economy does well.

“So as far as we are concerned this is a joint effort and endeavour and in that context, as I’ve said to the prime minister, anything we can do to facilitate greater harmony and access to the EU markets the better in terms of goods and services.

“Or, to put it another way, reduce barriers if that’s possible.”

The two countries are expected to agree a wide-ranging programme of new and enhanced strategic co-operation between Ireland and the UK, entitled UK-Ireland 2030, to be taken forward by both governments through to 2030.

This will include closer collaboration on energy, with a new data-sharing programme to enable commercial developers to increase offshore production.

Mr Martin said: “We’re all in a hurry in terms of the climate change agenda, in terms of the green economy.

“Ireland’s big push is on offshore renewables over the next number of years, we need a bit more know-how on that.”

As part of the summit, Ireland has announced new investments into the UK worth €220 million, which the British government claims could create more than 2,500 jobs across the UK.

On Wednesday Mr Starmer and Mr Martin co-hosted a reception to celebrate cultural links between the UK and Ireland.