Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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81. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the practice of sending officials and diplomats to men only membership organisation events will be ceased in advance of St. Patrick’s Day and in honour of International Women's Day. [11970/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government believes in the politics of engagement, rather than the politics of boycott or non-participation.  Consistent with that, we operate on the principle that the Government and Government representatives should engage in forums and at events where Ireland's interests and values might possibly be advanced. 

There has been some public discussion about men-only organisations in the US, specifically in the last number of months.  While Government Ministers have not attended such events in the US, Irish diplomatic representatives have done so on occasion.  They have done so on the understanding that this engagement is an opportunity to effect change through relationship-building, which, the Government believes, has always been one of Ireland’s greatest strengths. 

Maintaining strong and positive international connections is of vital importance to the Government, and key to that is the fostering of relationships with a broad and diverse range of groups and organisations.  In the US context, the Government is working to ensure that the transatlantic relationship continues to deepen, and that it increasingly reflects our contemporary values, interests and politics.  In this context, we review every opportunity to engage with officials, communities and organisations in the US carefully, with a view to maximising inclusivity and our overall impact.

St Patrick's Day, Lá Fhéile Bríde and International Women’s Day are excellent examples of this approach and to coincide with these occasions, Ministers and diplomats around the world work to connect with the broadest possible audience, and showcase modern Ireland on the world stage.