Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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4. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update of the work of the Irish Embassy based in Rabat, Morocco. [21439/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Embassy of Ireland in Rabat works to promote Ireland’s interests in Morocco, supporting political, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between our two countries.

The Embassy supports the community of Irish people who are resident, or who may be travelling in Morocco, as well as Irish people, businesses, public bodies and educational and cultural institutions engaged in activities in Morocco.

Morocco is a popular destination for tourism and there are currently five direct flight routes, including a connection between Dublin and the Moroccan capital, Rabat. The Embassy in Rabat, like other Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty abroad within the remit of the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter.

Total bilateral trade in goods between Ireland and Morocco for 2024 was valued at almost €355 million. Exports from Ireland to Morocco totalled €196 million and imports of Moroccan goods totalled €159 million. Total bilateral trade in services between Ireland and Morocco for 2023 was valued at almost €469 million. Service exports from Ireland to Morocco totalled €299 million and service imports totalled €170 million.

The opening of the Embassy in Rabat in 2021 has seen a deepening of our bilateral engagement and dialogue with Morocco. This year marks the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Morocco.

The Embassy also holds accreditation with Tunisia and Mauritania.