Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has undertaken an examination of Project 2025, the transition plan developed by the United States Heritage Foundation, and if he would outline the assessment of its potential implications for Ireland. [46786/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Maintaining and growing our close and mutually beneficial relationship with the US is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland, as reflected in the 2025 Programme for Government, and as it has been for successive Irish Governments.

As with all political developments taking place globally which are likely to impact on Ireland’s international and domestic priorities and interests, the Government has carefully analysed the potential impact of policy changes in the US on Ireland's core interests. This analysis has been informed by reporting from our diplomatic network across the US, including the Embassy in Washington and eight Consulates General, engagement with business and economic stakeholders, as well as ongoing discussions at EU level.

This work has included consideration of publications by a variety of US-based think tanks which may be relevant to policy development by the new US administration, including the policy proposals contained in Project 2025, published by the Heritage Foundation. While Project 2025 describes itself as a Presidential Transition Project aiming to 'pave the way for an effective conservative administration', it is not formally linked to President Trump's administration. The extent to which some of its proposals will be taken up by the incoming administration remains to be seen.

The Government looks forward to working constructively with the new US administration on issues of mutual interest and priority. It will be important to focus on the actual policy decisions taken by the administration and on their implications for Ireland and for the EU.