Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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141. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to invite the Governor of the State of Virginia in the US to Ireland before the end of year. [42377/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Building strategic political partnerships with the United States and Canada is at the heart of Ireland's Strategy for the US and Canada 2019 - 2025, with a view to maintaining and building strong transatlantic relations.

Encouraging and securing high level US political visits to Ireland is important to delivery of this objective. A highlight this year was President Biden's visit to Ireland earlier this year, which was a demonstration of the close relations between Ireland and the United States. Several other US political leaders from both federal and state levels have also visited Ireland in recent months, notably during the week of the Notre Dame - Navy football game on 26 August.

I was delighted to welcome Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts to Ireland in June, and I anticipate several other high level visits from the United States later this year.

A visit by Governor Youngkin of Virginia to Ireland would be welcome, when that opportunity arises.