Irish Finance Minister speaks with new UK counterpart

Irish Finance Minister Simon Harris held a "warm and substantive engagement" with the UK's new Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey. The two ministers discussed the economic and trading relationship between Ireland and the UK, as well as Ireland's priorities during its EU Presidency and broader EU-UK relations.

Healey's appointment by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham was described as a surprise. Healey, a former defense minister, had recently resigned that post due to disagreements over defense spending.

“

a warm and substantive engagement around a range of issues and we have agreed to meet next month at the G20 meeting of Finance Ministers in the US

During their conversation, Harris extended an invitation to Chancellor Healey to attend an informal gathering of EU Finance Ministers in Dublin in September. Both ministers also committed to holding bilateral talks at the upcoming G20 meeting of Finance Ministers in Asheville, North Carolina, next month. They agreed to maintain close contact moving forward.

"We have agreed to meet next month at the G20 meeting of Finance Ministers in the US," Harris stated, expressing his anticipation of working with Healey to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for both Ireland and the United Kingdom.

“

to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes for both Ireland and the United Kingdom