Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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158. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the political situation in Italy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24345/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Following the elections held in March, consultations led by President Mattarella led at the end of May to agreement by the Lega (League) and Movimento Cinque Stelle (the Five Star Movement) to form a coalition government. Mr Giuseppe Conte was sworn in as Prime Minister on 1 June and last week both houses of the Italian Parliament voted confidence in the new Government, giving it its official mandate.

Italy and Ireland are fortunate in having excellent bilateral relations and I look forward to these continuing. I hope to meet my new Italian colleague, Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi, in the very near future.