Micheal Martin has welcomed Liz Truss’ victory in the Tory party leadership contest as a chance to “reset” the soured relationship between Ireland and the UK.
Ms Truss was announced as the new Conservative party leader yesterday afternoon after she beat off the challenge of her leadership race rival, Rushi Sunak.
The Taoiseach said that he believes the victory will offer fresh hopes for a breakthrough in the stalemate between Ireland and the EU versus the UK over the Northern Protocol.
Read More: Liz Truss announced as new Prime Minister of United Kingdom and Boris Johnson's successor
It is understood that Mr Martin will be one of the first national leaders that the new British Prime Minister will talk to in the first days of her premiership.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald, said that EU-British talks on the Protocol now need to resume immediately after seven months of deadlock.
Mr Martin said: “I want to take the opportunity to congratulate Liz Truss on her victory in becoming the new leader of the Conservative party and on the expected confirmation in the coming days of her becoming the new British Prime Minister.
“I see this as an opportunity to reset the relationships between Great Britain and Ireland post-Brexit and also between the European Union and Britain.
“At the weekend I had some talks with outgoing ministers of the UK Government and suffice to say I think there was a general agreement that we should all do everything we possibly can over the coming weeks to break the deadlock over the Protocol between the european Union and the United Kingdom and to facilitate progress on that front.
“That would be my earnest wish and I look forward to engaging with the new Prime Minister in the coming while in a bid to achieve that…. It’s extremely important that we do that.”
Ms McDonald is also seeking a meeting with the new PM.
She said: “Seven months have passed since the British government last engaged with the EU. “One year ago the EU proposed solutions to address protocol implementation issues.
“Throughout this time the British government has chosen the path of bad faith, unilateral action and breach of international law.
“Their actions have undermined the Good Friday Agreement and jeopardised economic progress in the north.
“Relationships between Ireland and Britain must be rebuilt on the basis of good faith and respect for international law.
“This means a change in direction by a British government, it means full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and it means ending the political indulgence of the DUP who continue to block the restoration of the political institutions as a cost-of-living crisis hits people hard.
“I have sought a meeting with Liz Truss and in the course of this week I will brief the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and members of the US Congress.
“The time for British brinkmanship, delay and bad faith must end.”
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