Written answers

Tuesday, 11 June 2019

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Official Engagements

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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132. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the briefing supplied to the special envoy to the United States of America before he attended the dinner and-or a meeting with President Trump; the issues it included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24102/19]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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While no formal briefing was provided to Deputy Deasy by my Department in advance of his engagements last week, I and my officials are in ongoing, frequent contact with the Deputy in the relation to his work as Special Envoy to the US Congress on the Undocumented.

Deputy Deasy travelled to Washington, D.C. in mid-May in the context of developments on the Irish E3 Visa Bill which is currently before the US Congress. He was supported in his visit by the Americas Unit of my Department, as well as our Embassy in Washington, D.C. - as he has been on all previous visits to the US.

I and my Department will continue to work closely with Deputy Deasy on US immigration matters in the coming months.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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133. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he was invited to attend the dinner in Doonbeg, County Clare, with President Trump; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24103/19]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he met with President Trump in Shannon Airport; if he was invited to attend the arrival of President Trump in Shannon Airport or other events during the stay of the president; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24104/19]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials received a briefing from the Ambassador to the United States of America following his attendance at the dinner with President Trump at Doonbeg, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24105/19]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 to 135, inclusive, together.

The visit of President Trump to Ireland involved a limited official programme. President Tump and First Lady Melania Trump were greeted at Shannon Airport by the Taoiseach, accompanied by Minister Josepha Madigan and Minister of State Pat Breen. The Taoiseach then held a useful bilateral meeting with the US President , during which they discussed issues of mutual concern, including Brexit; the Irish E3 visa Bill currently before the US Congress; economic; and international issues.

The US President's official programme coincided with my visit to Belfast in support of the ongoing all-party talks, aimed at restoring devolved Government and power sharing.  The Government's hopes for these talks were raised in the context of the US Presidential visit, and I welcome continued strong US support for peace, prosperity and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Finally, to confirm, that like all members of Government, I receive ongoing updates and briefing from senior officials in my Department on all policy areas, which naturally includes significant engagements with key partners. 

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