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The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Johnson had an extensive discussion this morning.

They agreed on the importance of having a strong functioning Executive in place to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland. The Taoiseach emphasised the importance of the two Governments working together in support of the full operation of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Taoiseach urged the Prime Minister to engage in intensified EU-UK discussions to address issues relating to the implementation of the Protocol. He set out clearly his serious concerns at any unilateral action at this time, which would be destabilising in Northern Ireland and erode trust.

The Taoiseach pointed out that the EU has engaged constructively in the Protocol discussions, addressing the issue of medicines, and last October putting forward a substantial package of flexibilities and mitigations, including on customs and SPS arrangements. The Taoiseach stressed to the Prime Minister that the way forward should be through continued engagement with a view to arriving at agreed EU-UK solutions that address the practical issues arising around implementation of the Protocol.

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