The Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Jon Burrows MLA, and Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA held a meeting today with the Irish Foreign Minister, Helen McEntee TD.

The discussions were described as frank but constructive, covering a range of critical issues including national defence, legacy concerns, and the future of institutional reform in Northern Ireland.

During the exchange, the Ulster Unionist representatives highlighted the importance of security cooperation, specifically regarding maritime interests and the protection of Northern Ireland citizens currently in the Middle East.

Following the meeting, Jon Burrows MLA said: "Today's meeting with Ireland's Helen McEntee was a welcome introductory engagement for us both. It was constructive but firm, as we acknowledged that while we may not agree on everything, it is important to maintain good working relationships. I took the opportunity to emphasise that we are a committed partner for constructive work in the interests of Northern Ireland, and I stated that it was vital that both the UK and Irish Governments work cooperatively to ensure Northern Ireland citizens in the Middle East are kept safe.

"Steve and I pressed Helen McEntee on a number of challenges affecting good relations across these islands. We held a candid discussion on the need for the Irish Government to step up to the mark on security, particularly maritime interests that affect us all. Ireland can no longer rely solely on the Royal Navy to protect its waters and key infrastructure. It was encouraging to hear the Minister's commitment to strengthening defence capabilities and working more closely with the UK and Europe. "We made clear our desire to see institutional and operational reform of Stormont, in order to make our Assembly more effective. However, we firmly stressed that this is a Strand One issue to be discussed and resolved by Northern Ireland's political parties alone.

"I also underlined the need for honesty from the Irish Government regarding its role in the Troubles, including recent claims by Michael McDowell of a de facto Troubles amnesty. The Irish Government must clarify whether this is true or not, and I will be formally writing to Minister McEntee demanding details of this alleged amnesty. Legacy remains the single greatest area of grievance between our two countries. Many victim families have empty chairs because of the actions of Irish citizens who launched attacks from the Republic.

"I pressed Minister McEntee for assurances that Irish investigatory units will fully cooperate with UK authorities. What is happening at present is not cooperation but frustration. It is also time for the Irish Government to do more on legacy. Dublin has consistently taken the position that the Troubles were nothing to do with them and that it was up to the UK Government to pursue truth, justice, and accountability for the many thousands killed or injured. The Irish Government has established no legacy mechanisms that would deliver truth, justice, or accountability.

"Yet we know that the Irish Government was complicit in aspects of the Troubles: their territory was used as a safe haven by terrorists who maimed and murdered UK citizens; there are long standing allegations of assistance with arms in the early 1970s; and we know they actively prevented the extradition of terrorists wanted in the UK, with a 97% failure rate. More must be done, and the fact that the Heads of Bill on legacy will not be presented to the Dáil until late April or May is simply unacceptable.

"As ever, I want to be a good neighbour, and I look forward to further constructive engagement with Minister Helen McEntee and her colleagues in the near future."