UK and Ireland Agree Landmark Partnership Covering Energy, Security and Culture at Cork Summit
Taoiseach Martin and UK PM Starmer sign major agreements on energy, maritime security and culture at Ireland-UK Summit in Cork today.
Ireland and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to a strengthened bilateral relationship, signing a series of agreements spanning energy, maritime security, research, and cultural ties at a summit held in Cork today.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer jointly issued the "Shared Prosperity, Shared Seas, Shared Ties" statement, building on last year's Liverpool Summit and the UK-Ireland 2030 Joint Statement. Cork, as host city, found itself at the centre of a partnership that reaches from the Irish Sea to the North Atlantic — and all the way to the grid connection in North Dublin.
Energy and Infrastructure
The two governments committed to progress on both the MaresConnect electricity interconnector and the North-South Interconnector by the end of 2026. The MaresConnect and EirGrid teams have been engaging on an optimal grid connection solution in North Dublin, with both leaders pledging to keep that momentum going.
Separately, EirGrid and National Grid Ventures have reached a cooperation agreement to work towards a hybrid interconnector over the next two years, with the aim of lowering energy bills on both sides of the Irish Sea.
In a significant moment for Cork, the Port of Cork Company and Belfast Harbour Commissioners signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to enhanced cooperation, including accelerating the delivery of offshore wind projects.
Maritime Security
With both governments citing increased hostile state activity in shared waters, a new Subsea Infrastructure Bilateral Collaboration Framework was agreed, enabling coordinated responses to major subsea communication cable incidents. A live exercise to test readiness is planned for September 2026.
Ireland has also applied to join the North Sea Joint Declaration, an information-sharing mechanism currently involving Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark. The move is expected to extend that framework's reach into the Irish and Celtic Seas.
Research, Innovation and Skills
A landmark agreement between UK Research and Innovation and Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland will strengthen cooperation between both countries' research institutions, beginning with the creative industries.
The UK's JOINER 6G testing platform is also being extended to Trinity College Dublin, positioning both countries at the forefront of next-generation telecommunications research.
A joint dialogue with UK and Irish SMEs is planned for 2026, focusing on access to finance, digitalisation, and AI adoption.
People and Culture
Twelve collaborative partnerships between leading cultural institutions were announced under the 2030 UK-Ireland Cultural Cooperation Programme, covering exhibitions, co-productions, youth exchanges, and digital research.
The two governments also agreed to disregard payments under Ireland's Mother and Baby Redress Scheme for the purposes of UK means-testing, ensuring survivors in both countries receive the compensation to which they are entitled. Ireland agreed in principle to a reciprocal arrangement for UK compensation payments.
On immigration, both governments committed to expanding data-sharing arrangements to protect the integrity of the Common Travel Area.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said jointly: "Ireland and the United Kingdom share a unique partnership, rooted in our geography, our history, and the deep and dynamic connections between our people."
The next Ireland-UK Youth Forum Plenary will be hosted by the UK in 2027. Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union later this year, while the UK holds the G20 Presidency in 2027.