Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to the US Senate Majority Leader, Mr. Mitch McConnell to date in 2020. [9011/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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While the Government engages frequently with the US Administration and US elected representatives from across Congress, I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mitch O'Connell, this year.

The Government has however had many opportunities to engage with high-level US officials, including during visits last year by President Trump, Vice President Pence and a Congressional delegation led by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. We took these opportunities to discuss a range of issues, including Brexit and Northern Ireland developments, record two-way trade and investment, as well as Irish emigration to the US and the undocumented Irish.

In March this year, the Taoiseach travelled to Washington D.C. for St. Patrick's Day celebrations, where he had a range of engagements, including with President Trump. The Taoiseach was a guest of honour at the Speaker's St Patrick’s Day Lunch for the Congressional Friends of Ireland, at which Senate Leader McConnell also delivered remarks.