Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:149. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of all State visits his Department is organising. [43911/18]
View answerTuesday, 20 November 2018
Questions (149)
Written answers
State Visits provide an important opportunity to promote Ireland’s interests internationally and contribute to the development of strong economic, political and cultural links between Ireland and other States.
A State Visit is the highest level of official visit from one country to another. It is undertaken by a Head of State and takes place at the invitation of one State to another.
State Visits differ from and are less frequent than other types of visit, such as Official or Working Visits. Since January 2018, there has been one State Visit to Ireland, by His Excellency Mr. Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, which took place between 14 and 15 February 2018. President Higgins has undertaken two State Visits abroad in 2018, to the Hellenic Republic from 21 to 24 February 2018, and to Latvia from 17 to 18 June 2018.
State Visits to Ireland include an official welcome ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance, a State Dinner hosted by the President and calls on the Taoiseach and the Oireachtas. Other elements can include business and community receptions and visits to places of historical, educational or cultural interest. State Visits abroad by the President normally include elements similar to these.
Possible State Visits to and from Ireland will be considered and confirmed in due course.