Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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268. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to the United States Senate Leader in the past three months. [58404/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have had numerous engagements with high-level US officials in the past three months. During my visit to Washington DC in September, I had good meetings with Senator Dirk Durbin, the Senate Democratic Whip, and with Senator Pat Leahy, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. I also met with Senator Chris Murphy, whom I have since spoken to again recently by phone.

While in Washington, I also had fruitful in-person engagements with members of the US House of Representatives, including the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Richie Neal and Brendan Boyle. I also had a meeting with USAID Administrator Samantha Power while in Washington.

I took these opportunities to discuss a range of issues, including Brexit and Northern Ireland developments, as well as the enduring close ties between our two countries. Our Ambassador and Embassy in Washington continue to maintain regular and close contact with Members of Congress to ensure our interests, particularly in regard to the Northern Ireland Protocol, are fully understood.

While I have not had the opportunity to meet with Senator Majority Leader, Charles Schumer, and Senator Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell in the past three months, I look forward to continuing high level political engagement with senior US interlocutors on critical issues for Ireland.