Premiers set to address cost-of-living and security issues at UK-Ireland summit.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin are set to attend the second UK-Ireland summit in Cork on Friday, accompanied by delegations of government ministers from both countries.

Key topics on the agenda include cooperation on cost-of-living pressures, domestic security, and crisis management.

The summit follows Sir Keir’s announcement of £937m in Irish investment into the UK, expected to create around 850 new jobs. This includes an energy connector project between Northern Ireland and Ireland aimed at lowering electricity costs on both sides of the border. Another planned connector between Wales and Ireland is projected to provide power for 570,000 homes.

“The UK’s close partnership with Ireland continues to grow, and I am pleased that we are advancing collaboration on growth, energy, security, and more,” Sir Keir said. “This new Irish investment is part of a broader picture of strong cultural, commercial, and security ties.”

The first annual UK-Ireland summit was held last year in Liverpool, following an agreement to hold yearly meetings as part of a “reset” in relations between the two nations after Sir Keir became prime minister. The summit will also explore joint plans for cooperation through 2030.

Ahead of traveling to Cork, Sir Keir met Northern Ireland political leaders in Belfast on Thursday to discuss the prompt allocation of funds from the Autumn Budget to assist with electricity costs.

Later, he met business leaders alongside Martin, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee, and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle. He also engaged with young people from the Ireland-UK youth forum advisory group to hear their perspectives.

The day concluded with a cultural event at Cork City Hall, where protests were held featuring Iran and Palestinian flags.