Reflections on the Future of Anglo-Irish Relations

The Northern Irish Assembly elections saw a historic shift in public opinion within Northern Ireland, with a fractured Unionist vote leading to Sinn Féin becoming the largest party in the Assembly. Additionally, the UK Government’s announcement of legislation to set aside aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol puts further pressure on the relationship between the two Governments and delays the finding of workable solutions. 

About the Speaker: 

Bertie Ahern served as Taoiseach from 1997 to 2008, leading Fianna Fáil into government on three successive occasions in 1997, 2002 and 2007. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1977 for Dublin-Finglas and he went on to represent Dublin Central from 1981 until 2011. Among other roles, he previously served as Minister for Labour, Minister for Finance, Minister for Arts, Culture & the Gaeltacht and Minister for Industry and Commerce. A defining moment of his period as Taoiseach, and in Irish history, was the successful negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement between the British and Irish Governments and the political parties in Northern Ireland.