New British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told Ireland’s Taoiseach Michael Martin that he would prefer a “negotiated outcome” on issues caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The two leaders held a phone conversation on Wednesday evening.

Martin said they discussed the need to find “agreed solutions” to the protocol.

The post-Brexit trading treaty, fiercely opposed by unionists in Northern Ireland, has led to the collapse of the Stormont Assembly and Executive.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in Northern Ireland said it would not engage with the devolved institutions in Belfast until decisive action is taken to remove the protocol’s economic barriers on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The government has vowed to secure changes to the protocol, either by a negotiated compromise with the European Union (EU) or through proposed domestic legislation – the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill – which will empower ministers to scrap the arrangements without the approval of Brussels.

The European Commission has warned that such unilateral action at Westminster would be in breach of international law and could prompt retaliatory action.

Following his conversation with Mr Sunak, Martin tweeted: “Good conversation with British PM @RishiSunak this evening. Discussed cooperation on Ukraine and ongoing developments in Northern Ireland. Agreed on the importance of EU-UK negotiations to find agreed solutions on the protocol.”

A spokesman for the Taoiseach said, “The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Sunak spoke this evening. The Taoiseach congratulated PM Sunak on his appointment and looked forward to the two governments working closely together.”

He added, “They discussed cooperation in the response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They both agreed on the importance of EU-UK engagement to find agreed solutions to the issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol, and they discussed ongoing developments in Northern Ireland.”

A Downing Street spokeswoman disclosed that Mr Sunak spoke to Taoiseach Micheal Martin, agreeing on the “vital importance of a strong” relationship between the UK and Ireland and expressed their determination to build on that friendship in the coming months.

“The prime minister welcomed Ireland’s ongoing support for Ukraine, and the leaders agreed on the importance of continued international unity in the face of (Vladimir) Putin’s aggression. Discussing the Northern Ireland Protocol, the prime minister set out that his preference remained a negotiated outcome and hoped all parties would approach the current challenges with pragmatism and goodwill,” explained the spokeswoman.

The leaders also agreed on the urgent need for a functioning executive in Northern Ireland, and both undertook to continue discussions in the coming weeks and months.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also had a phone

conversation with Mr Sunak.

“Very good phone call with UK PM @RishiSunak. (The EU and UK) are strategic partners. Looking forward to working on crucial issues such as Russia’s war on Ukraine and climate change,” she tweeted. “And on finding joint solutions under the (Northern Ireland) Protocol on IE/NI that will provide stability and predictability.”

A Downing Street spokesperson said the leaders stressed the importance they both place on the relationship between the UK and EU.

“The prime minister and President von der Leyen agreed that the UK and EU have much in common, not least the challenges we are facing in areas like the economy and climate change,” added the spokesperson. “They resolved to work closely together to tackle those challenges.” 

(PA Media/dpa/NAN)