The Taoiseach has praised the Churches for their ongoing contribution to peace building, and the work they undertake on an ongoing and daily basis at community levels in Northern Ireland.

Representatives of the Presbyterian, Methodist, Church of Ireland, and Catholic church, and of the Irish Council of Churches, met with Micheál Martin yesterday to discuss a range of issues from the recent violence in Northern Ireland to the response to the covid-19 pandemic.

A statement from the government press office said that the Taoiseach and the Church leaders had a very constructive discussion on Northern Ireland, including a shared and grave concern at recent incidents of violence on the streets.

The Taoiseach and Church Leaders also agreed the pandemic has posed challenges for all citizens in terms of their mental health and wellbeing and “recognised the importance of faith to the spiritual and mental well-being of many people and communities and look forward to the time when church services and other in-person activities can resume”.