Taoiseach Micheal Martin has used Boris Johnson’s resignation to call on the British government to withdraw from its unilateral action over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Martin admitted that relations between the UK and Ireland have been tense lately, but he wished Johnson well after announcing that he would be stepping down.
In a statement, Mr Martin said: “Prime Minister Johnson has led the UK government through a particularly challenging period, including dealing with the impact of Covid-19 and the response to the war against Ukraine.
“From a personal perspective, I am aware that he has been through a difficult few weeks and I wish him and his family my best wishes for the future, following the announcement of his resignation.
“Britain is Ireland’s closest neighbor and relations between our two countries are long, deep and enduring.
“Our two governments working closely together provide an important foundation for peace and prosperity in these islands.
“Although Prime Minister Johnson and I worked actively together, we did not always agree, and the relationship between our governments has been tense and challenged of late.
“Our shared responsibilities in managing the Good Friday Agreement, as well as nurturing wider bilateral relations between us, require that we work together in a spirit of respect, trust and partnership.
“That is more important today than ever and I would once again urge a withdrawal from unilateral action, whether that is dealing with the legacy of the past, human rights or the Northern Ireland Protocol.”
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said Boris Johnson’s interactions with Ireland were “completely negative and he will not be missed”.
She said she had no sympathy for his personal situation over the past few weeks.
“Under his leadership, we have seen an attack on the Good Friday Agreement, threat after threat of violating international law. Boris Johnson’s government brought austerity to the people of the north of Ireland and of course he supported and brought Brexit – the disaster that is Brexit – to all of us.
“So I think it needs to be made very clear that whoever succeeds Boris Johnson now, as Prime Minister, needs to change direction and change course. We need the Assembly and the Executive to be set up in the north of Ireland without further delay.
“Michelle O’Neill has returned as Prime Minister-elect. We need a government that takes care of people and we need it very, very soon. We are gripped by a cost of living crisis.
“We need a British government that respects international law, fulfills its obligations under the Good Friday Agreement and understands beyond any doubt that Ireland will not be the collateral damage to the Tory Brexit.”
Regarding the north, she said his only concern had been to “appease the DUP and enable the most negatively reactionary form of political unionism possible, all in a vain attempt to stay in power itself”.
She added: “It was always about him, we need leadership now that is about fulfilling international obligations.”