Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the procedures and resources in place to lobby the US Congress on issues of importance to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39090/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The relationship between Ireland and the United States is deep, close and enduring. Successive Presidents and their Administrations, and Ireland's many friends on Capitol Hill from both sides of the aisle, have made an enormous contribution to bringing peace and economic prosperity to this island.

Following the US Presidential election on 4 November 2008, the President and Taoiseach have written to congratulate President-elect Barack Obama on his victory. The Government look forward to working with the new President and his Administration in the years ahead to underpin and deepen further the economic, cultural and social relations between the United States and Ireland. Likewise, we will continue to work closely with the bipartisan Friends of Ireland in Congress, chaired by Congressman Richard Neal.

This close cooperation is, of course, underpinned by the network of relations with members of Congress and their staff maintained by the Embassy in Washington. The Ambassador and his colleagues attach the highest priority to their work in this area, and, following yesterday's US elections, will be active in ensuring that Ireland's interests continue to be effectively advanced with the new Administration and Congress. In this regard, the level of staffing in our missions in the United States, and our Honorary Consul system, is kept under ongoing review.

Aware of the need to constantly update the relationship, and recognising the changing circumstances on both sides of the Atlantic, our Ambassador in Washington has been asked by the Taoiseach to lead a strategic review of Ireland/US relations, and to report on this by the end of the year. The review is intended to facilitate the further development of this important relationship, and to explore how our already close ties might be further enhanced in the future. Considerable work on the review has already taken place and the Ambassador has invited organizations and individuals across the United States to contribute their views.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if efforts have been made to lobby members of Congress and the administration in opposition to possible changes to US corporate tax law that might adversely affect Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39099/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The presidential campaign in the United States has just concluded. President Barack Obama will take up office on 20 January 2009 and the new Congress will meet for the first time on 6 January 2009. The campaign of the President-elect put forward a range of proposals on the US economy, trade and taxation. However, it is too early to know how these proposals will take shape and, therefore, what their implications may be for Ireland.

The Embassy in Washington, in co-ordination with the IDA, will continue to monitor these issues closely and to keep the Government fully informed of any possible developments so that, if necessary, appropriate action can be taken quickly and effectively.