IRISH foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney last night said his meeting with members of the US Congress on the latest Brexit developments was an "opportunity to take stock of recent developments in Northern Ireland".
Mr Coveney and EU commissioner Maros Sefcovic met with the Friends of Ireland caucus on Capitol Hill amid concerns in the US over the decision by the UK government to unilaterally change the way the Northern Ireland Protocol is being implemented.
Speaking after the discussions, Mr Coveney said: "The meeting was an opportunity to take stock of recent developments in Northern Ireland and the UK’s unilateral move on implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
"The EU and the US have been unwavering partners to the peace process.
"Throughout the Brexit process the EU has worked hard to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement is protected in all its dimensions and a hard border on the island of Ireland is avoided.
"We have consistently said that we want the Protocol to work for Northern Ireland, and for the island as a whole, in as smooth a manner as possible."
Mr Coveney said that sustainable measures on issues around the Protocol were only possible "with the UK working in cooperation with the EU".
"The Irish government’s focus remains on ensuring that the Protocol, as an international agreement concluded by the EU and the UK, is fully implemented.
"It is the agreed and only solution to the problems created on the island of Ireland by Brexit," he said.
The minister said they also spoke about the "unique opportunities the Protocol gives Northern Ireland".
"Free and full access to the UK market and full access to the EU’s Single Market of some 450 million consumers is a huge advantage. The potential investment and job creation opportunities are clear," he said.
