Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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244. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the procedures and protocols that apply to the issuing of invitations to foreign Heads of State to visit Ireland; the legislation or provisions of the Constitution that pply to the decision to issue such invitations; if such invitations require a Government decision; if he can issue them on behalf of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56019/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Visits to Ireland by foreign Heads of State provide an important opportunity to promote Ireland’s interests and values internationally. They contribute to the development of strong economic, political and cultural links between Ireland and other States.

Depending on the timing and nature of such foreign Head of State visits, these can include elements such as an official welcome ceremony, State hospitality and courtesy calls on the President, the Taoiseach, and the Oireachtas. Other elements may include business or community engagements or visits to places of historical, cultural and other interest. 

A State Visit is the highest level of official visit by a Head of State from one country to another. A prioritised and limited number of State Visits to Ireland take place each year. Over the past decade, and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State would typically host 2-3 State Visits per year.

A limited number of Official or Working Visits to Ireland by Heads of State may also take place in any given year. Such visits typically do not include the same formal ceremonial elements as a State Visit, are shorter in duration, and are often focused on specific engagements.

Invitations to foreign Heads of State to pay a State Visit to Ireland are formally extended by the President of Ireland, who officially hosts visiting Heads of State during such visits. Invitations to foreign Heads of State to pay a State Visit to Ireland are issued by the President of Ireland on the advice of the Government.

Each year, an exercise is undertaken within the Department of Foreign Affairs to bring forward a prioritised programme of State Visits to Ireland for the coming year. Invitations are extended to States where there is a clear opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, promote our national and international interests and our values, or to reciprocate a previous State Visit by the President of Ireland.

This annual programme of State Visits to Ireland is prepared in consultation the across the Department of Foreign Affairs, with the Department of the Taoiseach and Áras an Uachtaráin.