Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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44. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to visit Canada before the end of 2023. [42903/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland’s Strategy for the US and Canada 2019-2025 commits us to building strong, strategic political partnerships with Canada.

High level visits to Canada are a key aspect of delivering on that commitment. The 2023 St Patrick’s Day programme saw Minister Michael McGrath, Minister Stephen Donnelly and Minister Simon Harris visit various cities in Canada. In July 2023, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming, visited Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto for an extensive trade, community and cultural programme. I also had the opportunity to meet Foreign Minister Mélaine Joly on the margins of UN High Level Week in New York in September.

I very much appreciated that Canadian Minister for Labour and Seniors, Seamus O’Regan, came to Belfast last April, to represent the Canadian Government at the Good Friday Agreement 25 anniversary events and that he accompanied General John de Chastelain to several events, north and south of the border, where his significant contribution to the peace process was acknowledged.

I anticipate that there will be further opportunity for high level political visits to Canada in the coming months. While I do not plan to visit Canada in the remaining months of 2023, a possible visit there in 2024, to promote Ireland’s economic and political interests with an important international partner, is under consideration.