Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

191. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to invite his Australian counterpart to Dublin for a bilateral meeting later this year. [9575/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Australian Government will shortly be appointing a new Ambassador to Dublin, following the departure of former Ambassador Gary Gray last year. Once the new Ambassador has arrived, this will provide an opportunity to consider political level visits from Australia to Ireland. I would warmly welcome a visit to Ireland from the Australian Foreign Minister.

Our two countries already enjoy warm and strong bilateral relations founded on historic ties of kinship and a shared commitment to democratic values. We work together closely on issues of mutual interest, including defending multilateralism and the rules-based international order. These were among the issues discussed when bilateral consultations at senior official level took place in Dublin last November. We are also looking to work more closely with Australia in the context of our current G20 membership where there are many issues on which we can cooperate to good effect.

Planning is now well advanced for the opening of our new Consulate General in Melbourne in early 2026, a further demonstration of the mutual desire to strengthen bilateral ties as well as of our intent to provide assistance to the strong and growing Irish community in the State of Victoria. The forthcoming visits to Australia for St. Patrick's Day of the Minister for Education and of the Minister of State for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform offers further testimony to the overall strength of the bilateral relationship.