From:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Statement by Helen McEntee TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, on the departure of Hilary Benn MP from the British Government

I want to express my sincere thanks to Hilary Benn for his deep commitment to Northern Ireland, and to the UK-Ireland relationship more broadly, in his role as UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland over the last two years.

He approached his role with purpose and understanding, and with a clear wish to make things better for all the people of Northern Ireland.

That approach was what allowed both our governments to reach agreement last September on the Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles, the first such comprehensive agreement on the issues in more than a decade. The Framework puts victims, survivors and families at its heart.

Hilary has brought warmth and a constructive approach to all of his relationships here in Ireland, and indeed in Northern Ireland. I wish Hilary the very best in the future. I know that whatever he does, he will continue to contribute to building a positive relationship across these islands.

I look forward to working with his successor in the time ahead.