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NI Protocol: 'Flicker of optimism' in talks says Coveney NI Protocol: 'Flicker of optimism' in talks says Coveney
(about 1 hour later)
Simon Coveney is in London for talks with UK ministers on FridaySimon Coveney is in London for talks with UK ministers on Friday
The Irish foreign minister has said a "new air of positivity has created a flicker of optimism" in talks over the Northern Ireland Protocol.The Irish foreign minister has said a "new air of positivity has created a flicker of optimism" in talks over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Simon Coveney is due to hold formal bilateral talks with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris on Friday morning. Simon Coveney is holding formal bilateral talks with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
Mr Coveney said there was "a lot of warm language" but warned "we shouldn't get carried away with that". Ahead of discussions, Mr Coveney said there was "a lot of warm language" but warned "we shouldn't get carried away with that".
He added that there was a "genuine effort" coming from the UK government.He added that there was a "genuine effort" coming from the UK government.
Mr Heaton-Harris is hosting Simon Coveney at Lancaster House in London for a session of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC). Mr Heaton-Harris is hosting Mr Coveney at Lancaster House in London for a session of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC).
The BIIGC usually deals with economic cooperation, political stability and security.The BIIGC usually deals with economic cooperation, political stability and security.
Mr Coveney also met Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday night, where the pair discussed Brexit, the war in Ukraine and issues around the UN security council.Mr Coveney also met Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday night, where the pair discussed Brexit, the war in Ukraine and issues around the UN security council.
"It is sending the signal that they're up for a serious discussion to try to resolve these issues," Mr Coveney told RTÉ's Morning Ireland."It is sending the signal that they're up for a serious discussion to try to resolve these issues," Mr Coveney told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
Recent developments have included an apology by Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker about some of his behaviour towards Ireland and the EU during Brexit.Recent developments have included an apology by Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker about some of his behaviour towards Ireland and the EU during Brexit.
"But time will tell whether the compromises necessary to get a deal are possible"."But time will tell whether the compromises necessary to get a deal are possible".
Simon Coveney and Chris Heaton-Harris met at Hillsborough Castle last monthSimon Coveney and Chris Heaton-Harris met at Hillsborough Castle last month
This will be Mr Heaton-Harris' first meeting of the BIICG but it will be Mr Coveney's seventh, having attended all of the meetings since it was reconvened in 2018. It is Mr Heaton-Harris' first meeting of the BIICG but Mr Coveney's seventh, having attended all of the meetings since it was reconvened in 2018.
Norther Ireland Office Minister of State Mr Baker and Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee will also attend. Northern Ireland Office Minister of State Mr Baker and Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee are also attending.
The meeting is also expected to focus on plans to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.The meeting is also expected to focus on plans to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
There are reports that the British and Irish governments are keen for President Biden to visit Northern Ireland in April.There are reports that the British and Irish governments are keen for President Biden to visit Northern Ireland in April.
Friday's meeting comes as technical negotiations resume between Brussels and London over the Northern Ireland Protocol.Friday's meeting comes as technical negotiations resume between Brussels and London over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?
Relations between London, Dublin and Brussels have improved in recent weeks and there is hope of progress in those talks.Relations between London, Dublin and Brussels have improved in recent weeks and there is hope of progress in those talks.
However, on Thursday Mr Coveney warned a deal was unlikely before 28 October - that is the deadline for restoring the institutions at Stormont.However, on Thursday Mr Coveney warned a deal was unlikely before 28 October - that is the deadline for restoring the institutions at Stormont.
The secretary of state has repeatedly pledged to call an election if a new Northern Ireland Executive is not in place by that date.The secretary of state has repeatedly pledged to call an election if a new Northern Ireland Executive is not in place by that date.
Speaking about the prospect of another election, Mr Coveney said: "This will take us backwards because an election in Northern Ireland will polarise opinion again and make compromise more difficult.Speaking about the prospect of another election, Mr Coveney said: "This will take us backwards because an election in Northern Ireland will polarise opinion again and make compromise more difficult.
"There's a real focus on the deadlines that are coming in the next few weeks to try and make progress.""There's a real focus on the deadlines that are coming in the next few weeks to try and make progress."
What is the British-Irish Intergovernmental conference?What is the British-Irish Intergovernmental conference?
The BIIGC was established as part of the Good Friday Agreement to promote bilateral cooperation between the British and Irish governments.The BIIGC was established as part of the Good Friday Agreement to promote bilateral cooperation between the British and Irish governments.
It deals with issues which are not devolved to Stormont.It deals with issues which are not devolved to Stormont.
Meetings tend to discuss economic cooperation, security and political stability in Northern Ireland.Meetings tend to discuss economic cooperation, security and political stability in Northern Ireland.
It did not meet for 11 years between 2007 and 2018 but since reconvening it has met twice a year.It did not meet for 11 years between 2007 and 2018 but since reconvening it has met twice a year.
The UK government is represented by the secretary of state for Northern Ireland and Dublin's foreign minister represents the Republic of Ireland's government.The UK government is represented by the secretary of state for Northern Ireland and Dublin's foreign minister represents the Republic of Ireland's government.
An additional minister from both administrations attends.An additional minister from both administrations attends.