Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has strong bonds with Australia, founded on shared values and on the vibrant Irish communities in both countries.

There have been close and frequent contacts at all levels. Members of the Government have held a number of meetings with the government of Australia at both federal and state level, reflecting our close friendship. This March, as part of the St Patrick’s Day programme, Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment undertook a five city visit to Australia, where he visited Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, with political engagement, trade and investment promotion, community events and media encounters. During his visit, Minister Coveney met with Prime Minister Albanese as well as Minister for Trade Farrell.

In July 2022 Minister Simon Harris had an informal meeting with his counterpart Brendan O’Connor, Minister for Skills and Training whilst he was on a personal visit to Ireland. In the same month, the Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan paid courtesy calls on both President Higgins and I received him in my role as Taoiseach. We discussed matters relating to the Irish community in Western Australia.

In February of this year, senior officials in my department held bilateral consultations in Canberra, to discuss Ireland-Australia relations and areas of bilateral engagement.

Visits by Australian Ministers to Ireland are most welcome as they offer an opportunity to continue the close dialogue between Ireland and Australia. Visits are due to take place later this month by the Australian Minister for Government Services, the Hon Bill Shorten MP and by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Milton Dick MP.