Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
60. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to his statement (details supplied) the occasions on which he suggested to people in the United States that they speak with members of the opposition; the individuals in attendance on such occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12322/24]
View answerI visited Washington DC from 5-7 February 2024. During my visit I met with U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor, Jon Finer; USAID Administrator, Samantha Power; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer; Senators Chris Murphy, Jon Ossoff and Lindsey Graham; Democratic Minority Whip, Congresswoman Katherine Clark; Congressman Brendan Boyle; and 15 members of the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Ireland caucus, including the co-Chairs, Congressmen Richie Neal and Mike Kelly.
My conversations concerned a wide range of topical issues, including Northern Ireland and development cooperation, and were an opportunity to discuss and to set out the Government's positions on international issues such as the war Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza. While expressing the Government's view, I also reflected that it might be useful for my interlocutors to be aware of the full range of views of those elected to the Oireachtas, not least due to the importance of the issues discussed.
