Máire Devine (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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20. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the situation of an Irish citizen abroad (details supplied); to ask whether he and his Department can assist. [22394/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this case.

I am sorry to learn of the citizen’s situation and I appreciate that this is a difficult period for them and their family.

I can confirm that officials in my Department and the relevant Embassy are aware of this case and are providing ongoing consular assistance to the family. Embassy officials have engaged with the family on a number of occasions and have provided them with advice and guidance.

I can further confirm that officials in my Department have engaged with the relevant authority here in Ireland as part of efforts to assist the family.

I wish to assure the Deputy that officials in my Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the family in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if consideration is being given to renewing the Ireland-Wales Shared Statement and Joint Action Plan 2021 to 2025 beyond 2025; if the Minister will ensure that cultural and historical commemorations such as the RMS Leinster continue to be supported as a shared priority; and if funding could be made available under existing or successor frameworks to assist Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in creating a dedicated named memorial at the existing RMS Leinster anchor site in Dún Laoghaire. [22508/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The sinking of the RMS Leinster in the Irish Sea in 1918 resulted in huge loss of life of people from many parts of the world. The work of the RMS Leinster Memorial Committee in ensuring that this maritime disaster, and the many lives lost, are not forgotten is very important.

For this reason, the government supported a significant commemorative event in Dún Laoghaire in 2018 to mark the centenary of the sinking of the RMS Leinster. Then Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, represented the Government, with participation by members of the Defence Forces. The Government also supported a major programme of local events and exhibitions at that time. The sinking of the RMS Leinster featured in the Ireland-Wales Shared Statement 2021-2025 at that time, as part of the broader Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme.

We are currently working with the Welsh Government on a further Ireland-Wales Shared Statement, for the period to 2030. This new Shared Statement will be a high-level, forward-looking document. As such, it does not address specific individual commemorative events. Cultural, community and heritage links remain key features of the new Shared Statement however, and integral to our bilateral relationship.

The creation of a dedicated named memorial at the existing RMS Leinster anchor site in Dún Laoghaire is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authority.

Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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22. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to review the travel advice for the United States in the context of the changed policy of border enforcement officials with respect to Irish citizens with legal residency or visitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22692/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Hayes for the question.

My Department publishes advice for outward travel in respect of more than 200 countries and territories. The advice provides an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling overseas. This is done with a view to trying to help them to make informed decisions for themselves.

The advice is based on consultation with our embassies and consulates on the ground, the relevant local authorities in each country and other partners as appropriate. Our Travel Advice remains under regular review.

The most recent advice for the United States of America can be found on our website at: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/united-states-of-america/.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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23. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to Taiwan’s exclusion from participating in the World Health Assembly as an observer; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22749/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department follows the question of Taiwan's participation at the World Heath Assembly closely. The World Health Assembly, which takes place this year from 19-27 May, is the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), attended by delegations from all WHO Member States, and observers. Observers currently include the Holy See and Palestine, international organisations (such as the ICRC) and regional blocs.

Ireland believes that multilateral organisations should be inclusive where this is appropriate. Along with our EU partners, Ireland supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in multilateral fora dealing, inter alia, with public health, civil aviation safety, transnational crime, economic cooperation, and any other issues where Taiwan’s participation is important to the EU and global interests.

Participation in such fora does not imply statehood. It is our view that Taiwan can bring significant added value to global discussions given its advanced economy and technical expertise in key areas, including health. Taiwan prioritises medical co-operation in its international relations and we believe that it has expertise to share, at a technical level, on pandemic preparedness and other health matters.

Cooperation on global health matters, at a technical level, falls within the parameters set by the One China Policy, which does not preclude economic and people to people links with Taiwan. I want to underline the Government’s continued commitment to the One China Policy. This is not in doubt.

Ireland has been engaged at all levels with the WHO, as part of a group of like-minded countries on this matter. However, the question of Taiwan's participation as an observer at the World Health Assembly is ultimately a matter for decision by the wider membership of the WHO. In recent years it has not been possible to reach consensus on the matter.