Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our relationship is very warm. Based on trade between the two countries, Ireland is Cuba's 24th most important trading partner. While we are not very high in the list, Europe is very high. We can do much more in increasing that figure. People-to-people relationships and contacts have increased considerably in recent years with the President visiting in 2017. The Cuban vice-Minister for foreign affairs visited Dublin last October. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, visited Cuba for St. Patrick's Day. It is extremely important to continue those visits be it on a trade mission or political engagement. Obviously the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Cuba this year gives us an opportunity through the embassy and the ambassador to highlight the connection we have and build on it. This enables us to create greater dialogue between our two countries. We can also build on the relationship we already have. They are very warm relations and we want them to continue that way.