Simon Harris pictured with Paul Bartholemew visiting the site on which a new teaching and student services building is being developed in Derry
Mr Harris is in Northern Ireland to meet political, civic society and community leaders in Derry on Monday.
As part of his visit, the Fine Gael leader visited the site of the new teaching and student services building being developed at Ulster University’s Derry campus through the cross-border Shared Island funding.
Mr Harris also delivered the annual John Hume and Thomas P O’Neill keynote lecture at the university during his trip north of the border.
The lecture honours the Nobel Peace prize winner John Hume and Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives in the United States.
Both men played roles in the peace process which culminated in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.
As part of the visit to the university campus, Mr Harris visited the site on which a new teaching and student services building is being developed, supported by cross- border investment from the Irish government.
Announced in 2023, the €44.5m (£37.4m) investment through the Shared Island initiative is to help expand higher education in the north-west region by providing additional lecture and seminar spaces, computer labs and on-campus student services.
Speaking following the visit of Mr Harris to the Derry campus, vice-chancellor of UU Paul Bartholemew said they were delighted to welcome Mr Harris and “showcase the thriving campus” and their “ambitious plans for growth”.
“The taoiseach has been a long-standing supporter of our work here in the north- west,” Mr Bartholemew said.
“Today’s visit was an opportunity to further discuss our distinct regional mission and our shared commitment to transform education and support economic growth in the north-west.”
His first engagement on Monday was at the Guildhall with SDLP Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who made history by becoming the first black mayor of a council in Northern Ireland back in June.
He was taken on a tour of the city’s historic walls, which date back to the 17th Century.
Mr Harris also visited serving police officers at the city’s Strand Road with NI Justice Minister Naomi Long and Chief Constable Jon Boutcher.
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