March 13, 2026 — Cork, Ireland UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin met for the second annual UK-Ireland summit: Premiers agree on new infrastructure projects and £900m Irish investment in UK, announcing £937 million in new Irish private sector investments into the UK, expected to create around 850 jobs in sectors including AI, renewables, telecoms and energy.
The summit focused on strengthening economic, security and cultural ties amid global challenges, with agreements on cross-border energy interconnectors and a refreshed defence memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Major Investments
Fifteen Irish companies pledged the £937 million, targeting growth in London, Doncaster, South Wales and Scotland. Key pledges include Gas Networks Ireland’s £170 million to decarbonise Scottish compressor stations, Amach’s £45 million creating 150 jobs, Step Telecoms’ £25 million for a 200km fibre optic link in Wales, and Elkstone’s over £34 million for Northern Ireland startups. Enterprise Ireland data shows 64% of Irish firms have a UK presence, with many planning expansions.
BBC News NI on X highlighted the £900m+ investment, garnering over 10,000 views and mixed public reactions.
Infrastructure Projects
Progress was reported on two energy interconnectors: one linking Northern Ireland and Ireland to lower electricity costs, and another between Wales and Ireland, backed by at least £740 million in private investment to power 570,000 homes. Joint exercises will enhance subsea fibre optic cable resilience.
Security and Defence
Leaders refreshed the UK-Ireland Defence MoU, emphasizing maritime cooperation against threats like Russian shadow fleets, cyber risks and Irish Sea protection, as detailed in the UK government release.
Cultural and Trade Ties
Under the UK-Ireland 2030 framework, €5 million funds 12 cultural projects in theatre, music and arts accessibility, per RTÉ coverage. Bilateral trade reached €129 billion annually, with Ireland as the UK’s sixth-largest partner.
“This new Irish investment coming into the UK is one part of a much bigger picture of our flourishing cultural, commercial and security ties.”
— UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
“The UK and Ireland had a ‘very strong bilateral relationship’. One of the most important trading relationships and growing all the time.”
— Taoiseach Micheál Martin
The summit follows the inaugural event in Liverpool and underscores post-Brexit cooperation.