SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that the restoration of government across Ireland presents an unmissable chance to fundamentally reshape the lives of people in communities across the island.
The Foyle MP was speaking after meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Belfast today.
Colum Eastwood MP said: “The restoration of government on both sides of the island presents us with an unmissable opportunity to accelerate the integration of our communities, deliver new infrastructure to provide opportunities for people in every town and city and manage our response to the significant crises facing us.
“More than ever, we need closer cooperation between north and south.
“The co-ordination of the Coronavirus response to date has not been adequate and it needs to improve if we’re to keep people and communities safe.
“A key part of that should be harmonising our approach to international travel. We’ve had useful discussions about that today.
“And we’ve had further discussions about the need for an all island recovery plan that invests in infrastructure projects and skills in those communities that have been left behind.
“That means delivering on the promise of projects like Narrow Water Bridge, expanding university provision in the North West and others.
“The scale of the challenge is stark but we have a chance to fundamentally reshape the lives of people in communities across Ireland.
“That’s a critical objective of the partnership between the SDLP and Fianna Fáil. With both parties now in government, we have an opportunity to deliver.
“The SDLP worked to secure a shared island unit in the new Irish Government.
“I’m looking forward to working with our new Taoiseach Micheál Martin to deliver for people in all our communities,” added the Foyle MP.
