Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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345. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he met the United States Secretary of Homeland Security during 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4175/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, Ireland and the United States of America have a strong record of cooperation in relation to justice and security matters. Meetings between relevant officeholders take place from time to time and officials liaise with their counterparts as needed as do the security services of the State.

In 2019, I met on one occasion with US Attorney General William Barr. I also met with the US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Crawford, to discuss shared priorities and concerns and frequently met with the then Chargé d’Affairs, pending the formal appointment of an Ambassador.

I did not meet the United States Secretary of Homeland Security or the two officers who held that position in an acting capacity during 2019.