Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meeting with the German Minister of State for Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37908/25]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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78. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on his recent meeting with his German counterpart, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38281/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 78 together.

Germany is a key partner for Ireland, politically and economically. Our connections are wide-ranging, from people-to-people links, culture, economic, trade, and as steadfast partners in the EU and globally. Germany is one of our largest trading partners, with a combined two-way trade in goods and services of almost €70 billion. We are one of the few countries to have a Joint Plan of Action with Germany, now in its third iteration, which has led to deeper cooperation across numerous areas. Overall, bilateral relations are excellent. Germany is also a key partner for us around the EU table and will be particularly important for us during our upcoming Presidency of the EU in the second half of next year.

As a testament to the strength of the Ireland-Germany bilateral relationship, I travelled to Berlin on Friday 4 July to meet with my new German counterpart, Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. We had a substantive meeting with valuable exchanges, including on bilateral relations, our shared commitment to supporting Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, EU-China, and key issues on the EU agenda.

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, also met with his new German counterpart Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europe in Berlin on Friday 27 June. They had a positive meeting that focused on bilateral relations, including the Ireland-Germany Joint Plan of Action, Middle East, Ukraine, EU enlargement and reform, security and defence, and Ireland’s EU Presidency. Minister Byrne invited Minister Krichbaum to visit Dublin for further engagement.

Both Minister Byrne and I look forward to working further with Minister Wadephul and Minister Krichbaum and deepening our relations with Germany, our key bilateral and EU partner.