Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

72. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a report on his recent call with the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4367/23]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

119. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his reaction to the appointment by the United States of a new special envoy to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4213/23]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Like other speakers, I congratulate the Tánaiste and the Minister of State on their appointments. Our party has a strong record of independent foreign policy, working within the European family and working within the multilateral rules-based order. Both Deputies will bring all those values to us and we wish them the best of luck.

I ask the Tánaiste to outline his recent call with the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and to comment on the recent appointment by the United States of the new special envoy to Northern Ireland on economic affairs.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 119 together.

I thank the Deputy for his kind comments. Since assuming my new role, I have had the opportunity for constructive exchanges with both the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and the newly appointed US special envoy to Northern Ireland for economic affairs, Joe Kennedy III. During my recent call with the Secretary of State, we discussed the conflict in Ukraine as well as a number of other foreign policy issues of mutual interest.

In particular, our discussion focused on Northern Ireland. Secretary of State Blinken emphasised the Biden Administration's support for the restoration of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and the significance of the upcoming 25th anniversary.

The contribution which US special envoys to Northern Ireland have made has been greatly valued by successive Governments. I have welcomed the appointment of Joe Kennedy as special envoy to Northern Ireland with a mandate for economic affairs. This appointment also comes as we prepare to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, an agreement which owes much to American support. I look forward to working closely with the special envoy. His role, focused on economic opportunity, will complement some of the economic work being undertaken by the shared island initiative, helping to consolidate the Good Friday Agreement through enhancing the prosperity of, and opportunities available to, all the people of Northern Ireland and the Border counties. As part of that process, Ireland's ambassador in Washington DC hosted an informal event with the special envoy last week, which included members of the Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement. I will travel to Washington DC next week for meetings with senior members of the US Administration and other key opinion formers.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In his continued conversations with Secretary of State Blinken, I hope the Tánaiste will continue to underscore the important role the US has played over those 25 years. In many ways, the US in the past played a role as a counterbalance to the British taking a more selfish, strategic and economic interest in the North. One of the most powerful things in the Downing Street Declaration was the British Government's admission that it no longer has a selfish, strategic or economic interest in Northern Ireland. It allowed many people to take a leap of faith. Unfortunately, Brexit forced Britain to have a more selfish, strategic and economic interest in the North and that has led to many of the issues we face. The US has a continuing role to play.

I also ask the Minister to impress on the Secretary of State the issue of Ukraine. The US could do far more in respect of admitting to the country people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The US often looks back and regrets the numbers it took in during the Second World War. The support the US is giving in terms of military aid and other aid, which is a matter the Tánaiste spoke to the Secretary of State about, is important but it is also important that the US also admits people fleeing the war.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his comments. The response of the US and the White House to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine has, fortunately, been balanced. That was the case when the US wanted to avoid the war. It has also done everything possible to support Ukraine in its pursuit of its entitlement under the UN Charter to self-defence. The US has done that in a way that avoids, if at all possible, escalation to a worse conflagration. I think the US has found the fine line in that regard. It has navigated a balanced approach that can lead to a better outcome, peace and the guarantee of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. As a global voice, President Biden has led as well as he could. He has led well in the face of this appalling war. Given the geography, Europe's proximity means it was always going to be the main support in terms of migration from Ukraine and people fleeing the war.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I take the Tánaiste's point. However, I think more can be done to manage the flow of migration. I have no doubt that the Biden Administration is ready to provide support.

I welcome the Tánaiste's comments with regard to the appointment of Joe Kennedy as special envoy. Senator Malcolm Byrne and I, as conveners of the US friendship group, have already spoken to the US ambassador. We look forward to engaging with Mr. Kennedy. The North of Ireland has an important opportunity to exploit the potential of both the EU and UK markets. That is a tool Mr. Kennedy will have in his bag to try to attract investment and to support businesses. It might be to the detriment of my constituents if investment is going up north but we know there are benefits to investing in communities over time. Like the Tánaiste, I welcome the appointment of Mr. Kennedy and look forward to the benefits it will bring.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his comment and agree with him. I hope that if outstanding issues are resolved, we could create a platform for further investment in the economy of Northern Ireland. Historically, it has not done as well as other regions on the island. The cessation of violence and the Downing Street Declaration helped economic development in the North and it has improved significantly. There is, however, no doubt that maintaining access to the European Single Market and the UK market is of huge importance to the Northern Ireland economy. There can be a win-win situation if these issues can be resolved.

As the population of the island of Ireland is growing, the more seamless economic development we create, the greater opportunities there will be, North and South. I recently met representatives of InterTradeIreland. I was impressed at the increased trade between North and South, which creates jobs in both Finglas and Northern Ireland.