Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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218. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his St. Patrick’s Day missions and in particular the business and trade aspect of the missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15214/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Last month, I visited the iconic Irish American cities of Philadelphia and New York.

I was delighted to join Mayor Cherelle Parker and the people of Philadelphia to march in their St Patrick's day parade. I met with a number of community groups and laid a wreath at the Philadelphia Irish Famine memorial. I had high-level discussions with members of Congress from Pennsylvania, including Congressman Brendan Boyle and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon and I met with a range of exciting businesses with links to Ireland keen to see their business grow.

In New York, I renewed important political relationships with Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and Congressman Mike Lawler, to specify just a few. It was a privilege to walk with the Governor and lead the world famous 5th Avenue St Patrick's Day parade. Representing the Government at events in St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the New York Irish Arts Centre was a privilege, at a time when the whole city was celebrating Ireland's diaspora and culture.

My programme had a particular focus on engaging with strategic economic actors with global influence. This was motivated not only by the importance of our economic relationship with the United States, but also concern around the volatility and disruption caused by the threat of tariffs.

At the Bank of Ireland hub in New York, I met young Irish innovators from the Digital Irish network and discussed how the Government can support innovation and entrepreneurship. I also had an intensive programme of meetings with senior corporate decisions makers. These meetings focused on transatlantic trade, the possible impact of tariffs, and the importance of maintaining Ireland's international competitiveness and attractive investment environment. I was reassured that the many senior corporate leaders that I engaged with share my goal of protecting and deepening the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Ireland and the United States.

While the overall transatlantic economic environment is in an uncertain period, I returned from my visit convinced that Saint Patrick’s Day remains not only a unique opportunity to celebrate Irish culture and recognise our diaspora, but also a platform to promote Ireland's trade and economic interests, in particular in the United States.