Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has met the newly appointed United States ambassador to Ireland recently; and if so, the issues that were discussed. [29526/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government and I were pleased to receive confirmation on 27th June last that the new US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Crawford, had been sworn into his new role by US Vice President Pence. Ambassador Crawford then travelled to Ireland and presented his credentials to President Higgins on 01 July. My colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan T.D., attended this ceremony on behalf of the Government, as did officials of my Department.

While I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Crawford, I look forward to doing so in the near future. Ireland’s relationship with the US is one of our closest and most important. We share many common values, as well as a shared history, which allows for comprehensive engagement on a wide range of issues of mutual concern. In this regard, I look forward to meeting with the Ambassador to update him on a number of topical issues, including the Northern Ireland talks process, the challenges posed for the island of Ireland by the UK exit from the EU, and Ireland's role as a bridge between the US and the EU.

The Taoiseach met with Ambassador Crawford at the US Embassy Independence Day reception on the evening of 03 July last. The Taoiseach took the opportunity to welcome Ambassador Crawford to Ireland and spoke with him about his work in the coming years.