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Ministerial Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Questions (294)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

294. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he spoke to the Governor of Washington during his recent visit to the United States of America. [31168/20]

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Written answers

I travelled to the United States on 28th September for a series of engagements in Washington D.C. This included meetings with representatives from the Administration, as well as with members of Congress - Democrats and Republicans alike - from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Over the course of my visit, I met with Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Representatives Richard Neal, Peter King, Brendan Boyle, Mary Gay Scanlon and other members of the Friends of Ireland caucus, as well as Senators Chris Murphy and Pat Toomey. I also met National Security Advisor, Robert O'Brien, and Deputy Secretary of State, Stephen Biegun. The visit came at an important time for both Ireland and the United States, and reinforced the commitment this Government has to strengthening both our bilateral relationship and wider transatlantic relations.

As I previously stated, the visit also provided a valuable opportunity to discuss key priorities including Brexit, Northern Ireland and Ireland's priorities for our upcoming term on the UN Security Council with contacts from across the political spectrum. In addition to political engagements, I used the visit to meet with members of the US Chamber of Commerce and to reiterate the strength and mutual benefits of our economic relationship with the United States. This will be more important than ever as both countries look towards recovery following the global pandemic.

We continue to maintain close relations with members of Congress and with our contacts from across the political spectrum at federal, state, city and local levels. Through the Consulate General in San Francisco in particular, my Department remains engaged with high-level contacts in Washington State, including the Governor's office. Once the current Covid-19 crisis has abated, and in line with public health advice, I hope to get to the opportunity travel to the West Coast of the US.

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