Peadar Tóibín
Question:33. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent trip to New York. [46661/21]
View answerWednesday, 20 October 2021
Questions (33)
Written answers
I travelled to the US on 19 September for the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly.
On 21 September, I attended the opening of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly.
My visit took place during Ireland’s Presidency of the UN Security Council and I chaired a debate in the Security Council on Climate and Security on Thursday 23 September. I delivered Ireland’s National Statement to the General Assembly on Friday 24 September, urging the Assembly to heed the alarms sounding for conflict, Covid, and climate, and to commit to immediate action.
I held a number of bilateral meetings while at the UN, including with the President of Vietnam and with the President of Colombia, discussing matters of shared interest, among them Covid-19 and economic recovery.
I spoke at an event convened by the EU and UN Women on Women in Conflicts; and joined an EU-Africa leaders’ dinner, where we discussed strengthening cooperation between the European Union and the African Union. I also attended a Pacific Island Forum event where the focus was on the effect of climate change, especially on vulnerable states.
During my visit to New York, I met with Governor Kathy Hochul. Among the issues we discussed were responses to Covid-19, and the importance of connectivity between the United States and Ireland.
I also addressed the Council on Foreign Relations, touching on issues including Ireland’s role on the Security Council, Brexit and US-Ireland relations.
I also took part virtually in President Biden’s Global Vaccine Summit, and in a Global Citizen Live event in support of climate action and poverty reduction.
My programme also included economic, cultural, commemorative and community events. I met with representatives of Enterprise Ireland and IDA client companies, and visited NBC Universal to discuss current and future production opportunities in Ireland. I attended a building dedication ceremony at the new Irish Arts Center, and met with representatives of the Ireland Funds, and with leaders of Irish community organisations who briefed me on the vital support they provided to the Irish community in the US during the pandemic.
My visit came days after the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and I took the opportunity to lay flowers in memory of all, and in particular those Irish citizens, who lost their lives in the attacks at the Memorial.
Questions Nos. 34 to 38, inclusive, resubmitted.