Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take questions Nos. 16 to 23, inclusive, together.

The international section of the Department supports my work at an international level, beyond Europe, to promote Ireland's foreign and economic policy objectives and develop and maintain strong bilateral and multilateral relations. Working closely with other Departments, especially the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defence, the section provides me with advice and briefings on bilateral relations and international issues generally, including international peace and security, overseas development assistance and international human rights.

The section also oversees the implementation of the Government's Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025 strategy, including its renewal. The section chairs a senior officials' group on the sustainable development goals, SDGs, which provides strategic overview and monitors overall performance, supporting the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, which has overall responsibility for overseeing coherent implementation across government.

The section co-ordinates my international travel as well as my engagements with visiting Heads of State and Government and with other international figures and organisations. Recent outbound visits include my visits to Japan and Singapore in July and my attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

In my political meetings in Japan and Singapore with Prime Ministers Kishida and Lee, respectively, we discussed Russia's war on Ukraine, the impact of which is being felt all around the world. We also discussed a number of global topics of shared concern, including how to restore broken supply chains in the wake of the pandemic and how we can all act together on climate. Japan continues to be the largest source of inward investment into Ireland from the Asia-Pacific region, and I was pleased to meet with a number of industry representatives and Irish State agency clients while there. While in Tokyo, I was also pleased to turn the sod on a new Ireland House, which will bring our embassy and State agencies under one roof in this critical overseas market in order to ensure a joined-up team Ireland approach.

Approximately 5,000 Irish citizens call Singapore home, living and working there and making significant contributions. In my meeting with Prime Minister Lee, we also discussed economic and social changes in each of our countries. In particular, I set out the positive impacts the marriage equality referendum has had on Irish society. I welcome the decision taken since in August by Prime Minister Lee to repeal the law which had criminalised sex between men in that country.

At the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, I delivered Ireland's national statement. I also engaged with a number of other leaders in round-table discussions, bilateral meetings and in the margins, including with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, the President of the UN General Assembly, the President of Nigeria, the Vice-President of Uganda and the Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands. I participated in a round table discussion on the Sahel region, as I said earlier, attended by regional states and organisations as well as by members of the Security Council. I participated in a SDG-related event on jobs and social protection, delivering a keynote address. I also attended a Forum of Small States reception hosted by Singapore.

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