Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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428. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the foreign Heads of State who have been officially invited to visit Ireland since 2011; the number of visits which have materialised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5000/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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State visits and other official visits support the promotion of Ireland’s interests internationally and contribute to the development of strong economic, political and cultural links. A State Visit is the highest level of official visit from one country to another. Such visits take place on the invitation of one State to another, and involve State ceremonial elements. During State Visits to Ireland, ceremonial elements include an official welcome ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin as well as a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance and a State Dinner hosted by the President, as well as possible engagements with the Taoiseach, other members of government and the Oireachtas.Since 2011, the following State Visits to Ireland have taken place:

The schedule for State Visits to Ireland is the subject of on-going contacts with the administrations of other States. Invitations to make State Visits arise in various contexts, including in reciprocation for State Visits from Ireland to a particular country, or for other reasons relating to the shared wish to mark the bilateral relationship. In the period in question, the President of Ireland has paid State Visits to Croatia, the UK, China and Portugal.