British-Irish Assembly gathers in Kilkenny for 2 day session

Bilateral relations between Ireland and the UK have never been better.

That’s what Junior Minister John Paul Phelan has told the British Irish Assembly this morning as delegates gathered in the Newpark hotel for the 54th plenary session.

With Brexit high on the agenda Minister Phelan delivered the opening address saying “While faraway markets have great appeal, there is nothing like proximity”

On behalf of the Government he said Our strategy is to seek to minimise the negative effects of Brexit for Ireland, for Irish-UK relations & the EU

Meanwhile the British Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett told delegates that ‘our relationship need not be defined by Brexit’