Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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123. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagements his Department has had with the government of Mexico in the past 12 months. [5474/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland and Mexico enjoy long-standing and excellent bilateral relations and Mexico is Ireland’s largest trading partner in Latin America. The Global Ireland Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2025 provides the framework for strengthening this relationship.

During the past twelve months there has been intensive engagement with Mexico. This was reflected in both the regular high-level visits and the ongoing work of the Irish Embassy and the Embassy of Mexico to Ireland to strengthen political, trade, education and cultural ties and to support Irish and Mexican citizens. Mexico is also an important partner for Ireland at global level with whom we cooperate at many UN fora, including on Women, Peace and Security.

In January 2024, my predecessor, Micheál Martin TD, visited Mexico. His programme included meetings with the then-Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena, with representatives of Irish companies with significant investments in Mexico, as well as with Mexican companies that have invested in Ireland. He also met with many members of the active Irish diaspora based in Mexico City.

In March 2024, then-Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions, and Insurance, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, visited Mexico as part of the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Programme. The Minister’s visit included meetings with the Minister for Finance, the Deputy Minister for the Economy, senior Irish and Mexican business leaders and members of the Irish community.

In November 2024, a trade delegation led by the Under Secretary of the Economy of the Mexican state of Baja California visited Ireland. This state, together with Arizona and California forms part of the 'Calibaja' region, and is a key location for nearshoring and high-value-added supply chains. The Mexican delegation met with representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and a range of Irish companies.

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and events are planned in both countries to mark this important milestone. The upcoming St Patrick’s Day visit to Mexico by Minister of State at the Department of Justice with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Niall Collins TD, will provide an excellent opportunity to mark this anniversary and the multitude of historical and contemporary connections between the two countries.