Kathleen Funchion
Question:176. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to have a bilateral meeting with his Dutch counterpart. [5840/23]
View answerWednesday, 8 February 2023
Questions (176)
Written answers
Wopke Hoekstra, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and I, both attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 23 January.
The Netherlands is traditionally an important ally for Ireland in the EU. We are like-minded on most foreign policy and economic issues. This close relationship at the EU level has increased following the decision of the U.K. to leave the EU. The Netherlands is second only to Ireland in relation to the impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. The Netherlands has consistently been a strong supporter of Ireland’s positions and concerns relating to the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and the Northern Ireland Protocol.
I look forward to having a bilateral meeting with my Dutch colleague at the earliest opportunity.