David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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20. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to further improve our diplomatic relations with, and diplomatic presence across, Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40484/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has had extensive diplomatic and political relations with Canada since the foundation of the State, celebrating 85 years of diplomatic relations in 2024.

There has been significant bilateral high-level political engagement, the bedrock of good diplomatic relations, in recent months. Last month, the Taoiseach had a call with Prime Minister Trudeau and then met in person with the Prime Minister a few weeks later in margins of UN High Level week. For St Patrick’s Day 2024, I visited Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto and met with Prime Minister Trudeau as well as many other high level interlocutors. In February, the Speaker of the Canadian Senate, Ms Raymonde Gagné, led a Senate delegation to Ireland, who in addition to extensive Oireachtas engagement, the delegation met with President, Taoiseach and Tánaiste.

The Government has delivered on its commitment in Ireland’s “Strategy for the US and Canada 2019-2025” to significantly strengthen Ireland's diplomatic presence in Canada, opening new Consulates in Vancouver in 2018 and Toronto in 2022. In addition to the fulltime diplomatic presence, Ireland has a number of honorary consuls in the Provinces of Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton), Newfoundland and Labrador (St Johns), Nova Scotia (Halifax), and Quebec (Quebec City).

Our diplomatic presence is complemented by the presence of Ireland’s state agencies. Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Tourism Ireland, who have offices in Toronto, with Enterprise Ireland also present in Montréal. During my visit to Toronto for St Patrick’s Day, I announced plans to open a new flagship “Ireland House” in Toronto which again represents significant Government investment and the high priority of our engagement in Canada.

I wish to thank Deputy Stanton, as Chair of the Oireachtas Canada-Ireland Inter-Parliamentary Friendship group, for his excellent work over many years in promoting political, economic and cultural exchange between Ireland and Canada.