Catherine Murphy
Question:158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to visit the United States of America before the end of quarter 3 2021. [38286/21]
View answerWednesday, 14 July 2021
Questions (158)
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). This Government has had a range of high level contacts with President Biden's Administration since it entered office. This includes the Taoiseach's virtual meetings with President Biden and Vice President Harris, among others, on St. Patrick's Day.
I hope to visit the US again soon, once there is an opportunity do so. My last visit was in September 2020 when I travelled to the US for a series of engagements in Washington D.C. This included meetings with representatives from the Administration, as well as with members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, from the House of Representatives and the Senate.
This year, I have had a range of contacts with the US Administration, including speaking with my US counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a number of occasions since he took office. Most recently, on 24 May, I met separately with both Secretary Blinken and with National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, in Shannon.
I am delighted to hear that President Biden has nominated a new US Ambassador to Ireland, Massachusetts State Representative Claire Cronin, and I look forward to welcoming her to Ireland, once the Senate has confirmed her appointment.
Ireland has always maintained close relations with the US, across the political spectrum, 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. This engagement extends to our contacts at federal, state, city and local levels.