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Ministerial Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021

Wednesday, 10 February 2021

Questions (364)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

364. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken to the US Senate Majority Leader, Mr. Chuck Schumer since the presidential election in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6683/21]

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Written answers

Strengthening bilateral relations with the US is a priority for Ireland as set out in our Programme for Government, as well in our Strategy for the US and Canada (2019-2025). With each successive Administration in the White House and each successive US Congress, our bilateral relationship has been valued and strengthened, to the benefit of our people on both sides of the Atlantic.

While I have not spoken directly with the US Senate Majority Leader, Mr. Chuck Schumer, since the US Presidential election, the Government engages regularly with US elected representatives from across the aisle in Congress. Looking ahead, we will continue to maintain close relations with Members of Congress and contacts from across the political spectrum. This engagement extends to our contacts at federal, state, city and local levels.

In particular, we look forward to working with both the new Administration and the US Congress to pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the US. We are pleased to see that immigration issues, including regarding pathways to citizenship, are a priority for President Biden, as evidenced by the proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021. We will actively engage with the new Administration and Congress on this particular initiative, including through our Embassy in Washington, DC.

We also look forward to working with the US on the many global challenges facing the international community, from the pandemic to climate change to promoting peace and security, as well as on issues of particular importance to our bilateral relationship.

Ireland has always maintained close relations with the US and will continue to do so, including through our Embassy in Washington D.C., our other diplomatic Missions across the US and through the US Embassy in Dublin.

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