Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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49. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to increase trade with Germany, the largest European economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38303/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Our economic relationship with Germany is wide-ranging, resilient and dynamic. Germany, like Ireland, is committed to free trade, with an open, fair, and level playing field approach to economic relations. This commitment, as well as our shared values and interests as members of the EU, has fostered a strong and close economic relationship between our countries.

Germany is one of our largest trading partners, with a combined two-way trade in goods and services of almost €70bn. It ranks as Ireland’s third-largest export partner and fourth-largest import partner for goods in 2024.

Last year, Ireland exported a total of €20.1 billion to Germany (accounting for 9% of all Irish exports), and imported €12.2 billion from Germany (9% of all Irish imports). Medical and pharmaceutical products and Organic Chemicals constitute the bulk of Ireland’s goods exports to Germany. Computer Services is the category that accounts for the bulk of Ireland’s service exports to Germany, representing almost two-thirds of these exports in 2023.

We are particularly strong agricultural trading partners: in 2023, Ireland's agri-food export value to Germany was roughly €920 million (Ireland's fifth largest export market) and its import value from Germany was €985 million (Ireland's third-largest import partner). Agri-food exports to Germany increased by 12% in 2024 compared to 2023.

Since the publication of Ireland's Strategy for Germany in 2018, we have significantly increased our investment in our trading relationship with Germany, including through an increased State Agency presence and two new Consulates General, in Frankfurt and Munich, and have seen these positive dividends in the economic relationship. In 2025, the Embassy of Ireland in Berlin published the commissioned study "Irish and German Economic Links In Perspective – a Fruitful and Dynamic Bilateral Relationship". The study concluded there remains significant scope for improving the trade and investment relationship

I am determined that we should make the most of the trade opportunities that exist with Germany and have made this a clear objective for our teams in Ireland and in Germany over the coming years. I am glad to say that this is a shared objective with our German counterparts, as set out in the Joint Plan of Action we have in place with the German Government.

I discussed with my German counterpart, the Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in Berlin on 4 July, the potential for increasing our trade and business connections. We agreed on the value of continuing to expand our trade, to the mutual benefit of business and consumers in both our countries.