Are Anglo-Irish relations comfortably back on an even keel after the Brexit years?

After last month's reset between Kier-Starmer and Mihol Martin in Corkler,

there were warm words about a renewed and strengthened relationship and practical moves on common defence concerns.

But in a fast-changing global climate, is that enough?

And is it guaranteed to last?

I'm Mark Carruthers.

That's what we're discussing on this edition of Red Lines.

And we have a top-notch panel of guests joining me to talk about the challenges.

That uniquely close relationship is facing.

Paul Johnson was the British ambassador to Ireland until September last year and now heads up the Irish University's Association.

Bridget Laughan is Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute,

and Mark Hennessy is Ireland and Britain editor of the Irish Times.

Welcome to all of you. Thanks very much indeed for joining us on red lines today.

Mark Hennessy, we've seen a pattern of dramatic swings in Anglo-Irish relations over the years. No question about that.

How would you assess how things look now under the auspices of the two

current Prime Ministers? They're as warm as they have been for many decades. There's no doubt that

Kirstarmer is genuinely interested in the Anglo-Irish relationship and Dublin was equally interested

in trying to put things back together again after the toxicity of the Brexit years.

So there's no doubt that things are on a very positive front at the moment.

The only downside is that a very great deal of it is invested in the presence of Clear Storm Starrmer in Downing Street and were that to change,

then some of the warmth and the relationship and the instinctiveness in it would probably disappear

if there was a new Prime Minister. As a result of that, the institutionalisation of the relationship is becoming increasingly

...