Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

11. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade he person or body that invited U.S. congressman Brian Mast to Ireland last week. [22087/25]

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

12. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason U.S. Congressman Brian Mast was invited to Ireland last week. [22088/25]

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

13. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the person from the Irish Government who met with U.S. Congressman Brian Mast last week. [22089/25]

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

14. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what was discussed if Government officials met with U.S. Congressman Brian Mast last week. [22090/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 14 together.

Ireland’s relationship with the United States is based on rich connections – political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people. Developing and deepening these links is a top priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, just as it is for this Government.

There is a long history of visits to Ireland by US Congressional delegations, which the Government is committed to continuing and growing. Building strong political links is one of key strands of maintaining and strengthening our relationship with the United States. Bipartisan political support from the United States, and in particular from the Congressional Friends of Ireland, has been critical for Ireland, particularly in the pursuit of peace and reconciliation on this island. In economic terms, the bilateral relationship is now characterised by significant and mutually beneficial links. Our overall economic relationship is valued at more than one trillion euros and Ireland is the 6th largest source of foreign direct investment into the US.

I was therefore pleased that a bipartisan delegation from the US House of Representatives recently visited Dublin, as part of a visit that included engagements in London and Belfast. The delegation was led by Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Congressman Brian Mast from Florida, who is also a member of the Congressional Friends of Ireland. The other members of the delegation were Representative Joe Wilson from South Carolina, Representatives Ami Bera and Representative Jimmy Panetta, both from California.

On behalf of the Government, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Jack Chambers met with the delegation. Their discussion focused primarily on trade and the importance of the mutually beneficial economic relationship, and was an opportunity to highlight the flow of foreign direct investment in both directions. It also covered energy issues, infrastructure delivery and foreign policy, in particular in relation to China, Russia/Ukraine and the Middle East.

I am aware that the delegation was also hosted by Cathaoirleach Mark Daly in Leinster House and had engagements with the American Chamber of Commerce.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

15. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for details of engagements with the German government and German embassy in Ireland regarding the case of an individual arrested for demonstrating in the Irish language outside the Irish embassy in Berlin (details supplied); if he will condemn this arrest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22101/25]

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

I can confirm that officials in my Department and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, are aware of this case. I can further confirm that officials in the Irish Embassy in Berlin are engaging with the relevant German authorities on the matter.

I wish to assure the Deputies that officials in my Department and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, stand ready to provide consular assistance, should the citizen concerned request it.

My Department, including our Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provide consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty abroad within the remit of the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. The provision of consular assistance is a cornerstone of the work of my Department. As with all consular cases, my officials will consider each case on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropriate advice and assistance that we can provide to Irish citizens in accordance with the Consular Assistance Charter.

The provision of consular assistance is at the request of the citizen concerned or, where the citizen cannot request such assistance, by a family or friend. As such, and until a request has been received, the Department does not directly reach out to citizens to offer assistance.

As the Deputies will appreciate, the Department does not comment on the specific details of individual cases.