Michael Moynihan
Question:94. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there has been further indication of a possible visit from President Trump. [41064/18]
View answerTuesday, 20 November 2018
Questions (94)
Written answers
It was announced by the White House on 31 August last that the US President proposed to visit Ireland in November as part of his trip to Europe to commemorate the end of the First World War. As the Deputy will be aware, this visit was subsequently postponed, with the US Administration citing scheduling reasons. There are frequent and ongoing contacts between the Government and the US Administration at Ministerial and official level on the wide range of issues of mutual interest, and on international issues. To date, we have not received an indication, through these contacts, of when a possible future visit from President Trump might take place.
The visit of any US President offers an opportunity to reinforce the strong historic, economic, cultural and family ties shared by the US and Ireland - as well as an opportunity for good, open discussions on current issues. The US President is of course welcome to visit Ireland and has a standing invitation to do so, just as the Irish have a standing invitation to Washington DC every March.
I discussed Ireland-EU-US relations earlier this month with my colleagues in Government. The importance of continued engagement at Ministerial and official level with US leaders, and on sectoral issues of mutual interest, was noted - as was the desirability of increasing the numbers of US high level visits to Ireland in the coming years.
In the context of a changing transatlantic relationship, this enhanced and targeted engagement is critical, as we seek to protect and promote Ireland’s values, interests and prosperity. Through this engagement, we will increasingly seek to position Ireland as the transatlantic bridge between the US and the EU.
The Government’s forthcoming Strategy on the US and Canada - which I look forward to bringing to Cabinet in the coming weeks and launching in the US early in 2019 - will set out a framework for action in this regard aimed at maximising the potential of our relationship now and into the future.