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Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 March 2018

Tuesday, 27 March 2018

Ceisteanna (127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

127. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Governor of Texas, the issues that were discussed, and if they included the Mexican border. [13557/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

128. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Governor of Oklahoma; and the issues that were discussed. [13558/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

129. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the meetings he held while in Washington DC; and the issues that were discussed. [13559/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

130. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he discussed Russia with President Trump. [13560/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

131. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the response he received from President Trump when he discussed Brexit at their meeting. [13561/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

132. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the breakfast meeting he attended in New York with the Mayor during the St. Patrick's day festivities; and the issues that were discussed. [13761/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

133. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the companies he met while in the USA for St. Patrick's week; and the issues that were discussed. [13762/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

134. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the new proposal to address the issue of the undocumented Irish that was discussed during his visit to the USA recently. [13764/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 to 134, inclusive, together.

I visited the United States from 11-17 March for this year's St Patrick's Day programme. My visit included engagements in Austin Texas, Durant Oklahoma, Washington D.C. and New York.

In Austin, I paid a courtesy call on Governor Abbott. Our conversation focused on the bilateral economic relations between Ireland and Texas. We did not discuss the Mexican border. I spoke at the South by South West Festival, where I also visited the stands of a number of Irish-owned companies exhibiting at the Festival including; Tweak, Warduck, Food Marble, Mashable, Learnupon, Edgescan, Usheru, Digisoft, Video Elephant, and GirlCrew.

In Durant, Oklahoma, where I visited the Choctaw Nation of Native Americans, I also had a courtesy call with Governor Mary Fallin during which we discussed deepening bilateral relations between Ireland and Oklahoma, especially economically.

In Washington D.C. I held political meetings with President Trump, Vice President Pence, as well as with senior members of Congress including Speaker Ryan, House Majority Leader McConnell, Senators Schumer and Leahy, Congressmen Neal and King, and the Friends of Ireland Caucus. My priority in these discussions was to further develop the US - Ireland bilateral relationship, and to advance Ireland's interests, including in relation to trade, and the status of undocumented Irish citizens in the US.

As has been reported, President Trump indicated that he was favourably disposed towards the possibility of a bilateral agreement on immigration issues, based on a reciprocal arrangement for US and Irish citizens that could help resolve the difficult situation faced by undocumented Irish citizens in the US. However, it is important to recall that finding a solution remains a complicated question that requires support both from the Executive and from Congress. We will continue to work at all levels to secure a positive outcome.

In relation to our discussion on Brexit, this was an opportunity for me to brief the President on the state of play with negotiations, and Ireland's priorities and objectives. The President thanked me for the update and indicated his hope for a successful outcome to the negotiations process. I did not discuss Russia in detail with President Trump.

Also in Washington D.C. I attended a roundtable discussion at the US Chamber, which included representatives of Johnson and Johnson Vision, Google, Allergan, Amazon, Bank of America, Boeing, Dow Chemical, FedEx, Intel, MetLife, S&P Global and Zimmer Biomet. We discussed Ireland's economic progress, Brexit negotiations, International Trade & Taxation.

I also attended a roundtable discussion with representatives of Irish-owned companies with operations in the US, including; Kerry, Intuition, Icon PLC, Kingspan, Globoforce, CRH/Oldcastle, Ocean Energy and Wisetek. We discussed the achievements of Irish owned companies in the US, their contribution to the two-way trading relationship between Ireland and the US, as well as the role of Enterprise Ireland and other State Agencies in supporting their continued expansion and growth in the US.

I attended a series of events hosted by our enterprise agencies, including the Science Foundation Ireland St. Patrick's Day medal presentation, and a joint Irish agency lunch event with 350 business and economic contacts at which I launched the Global Ireland communications campaign.

I also spoke at a number of events, including at the Brookings Institution, at an event hosted by Ireland Funds, at a Reception hosted by Ireland's Ambassador to the US, and at an event marking the 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

In New York, I met Mayor Bill de Blasio on a number of occasions including at an event at the site of the new Irish Arts Center, and at the Mayor's Breakfast in Gracie Mansion which was a ceremonial occasion. My discussions with the Mayor were focused on the St. Patrick's Day celebrations and the Ireland-New York relationship.

Also in New York, I attended a lunch with business leaders, hosted by Michael Bloomberg. Companies represented included JP Morgan Chase, Barclays, Bank of America and Citigroup amongst others. The event was a further opportunity to highlight Ireland's economic progress and our advantages as location for inward investment, including of course in the context of Brexit.

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