Northern Ireland

More than two months since Micheál Martin and Arlene Foster held substantive talks

Arlene Foster said she hadn't spoken to Micheál Martin 'in quite some time'
Arlene Foster said she hadn't spoken to Micheál Martin 'in quite some time' Arlene Foster said she hadn't spoken to Micheál Martin 'in quite some time'

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin and First Minister Arlene Foster have not held substantive talks for more than two months.

The DUP leader said at the weekend that she had not spoken to her Fianna Fáil counterpart "in quite some time".

The taoiseach's office has confirmed to The Irish News that Mr Martin, Mrs Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill all contributed to the relaunch of the all-Ireland National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium on St Patrick's Day.

However, while the taoiseach was in contact with Ms O'Neill on March 2, following the publication of the Stormont executive's Pathway out of Restrictions document, the last time he and Mrs Foster held substantive talks was on January 25, when both Stormont leaders spoke to Mr Martin by phone – just over three weeks after the post-Brexit NI Protocol became operational.

On that occasion they discussed the latest developments around Covid-19 and measures being taken on both sides of the border in response to the pandemic.

The leaders also held discussions in mid-January and on December 18, when they took part in a North South Ministerial Council plenary meeting.

During an interview with RTÉ's departing northern editor Tommie Gorman at the weekend, the first minister was asked whether the UK should share its vaccines with the Republic.

"I've not been talking to Micheál Martin for quite some time now," she replied, before adding that she believes sending vaccine supplies across the border is the right and practical approach.

"It should happen and hopefully it will," the first minister said.