Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

821. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the United States Congressional visit to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30442/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It was a pleasure to welcome Congressman Neal, a longstanding friend of Ireland, and a senior delegation from the US congress including several members of the House Ways and Means Committee to Dublin during their visit to Ireland last month. The Congressional Delegation met with President Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, myself and other political representatives for discussions on Northern Ireland, Brexit, the future of Europe and the transatlantic relationship, as well as the deep and enduring ties between Ireland and the United States of America.

The delegation also visited Kerry, where they were accompanied by Minister Norma Foley. They visited the Blasket Islands and the newly renovated Blasket Islands interpretive centre where they met local political figures, school groups and representatives of local businesses.

This bipartisan Congressional delegation, the first to visit Ireland since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, follows a period of active Irish Government engagement with the US Administration in recent months. The importance of the return to in-person visits cannot be overstated. Our deep, historical people-to-people connections form the foundation upon which Ireland’s strong relationship with the United States is built.

Engagement by successive US Administrations, Congress, and the Irish diaspora has been an indispensable part of the peace process over the last three decades. Congressman Neal and the other members of the delegation were unwavering in their support for peace in Northern Ireland, and emphasised their view that Brexit should not impact on the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.

It was heartening to see a strong bipartisan recognition of the importance of the Ireland-US relationship reflected in the membership and engagement of this Congressional delegation, as well as the keen interest on Capitol Hill in the implications of Brexit for the island of Ireland, North and South. We will continue to ensure that the Irish perspective is understood through ongoing high-level contacts, and through the ongoing engagement of our Embassy in Washington D.C.