Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2018
77. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his meeting with the Foreign Minister of Germany; his plans to improve German-Irish relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16878/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to welcome Heiko Maas, the new German Minister for Foreign Affairs to Dublin on 12 April, less than a month after his appointment as foreign minister. We had a warm and constructive meeting. Germany is a hugely influential EU member state. It is Ireland’s fourth largest goods trading partner and our third most important tourism market. Having excellent working relations with Germany is a priority for us. Germany has been a consistent supporter of Ireland in the Brexit negotiations, something we greatly appreciate. Minister Maas and I discussed Brexit at some length and we had a very useful exchange on a number of international issues, including the Middle East Peace Process and EU relations with Africa, priority areas for both our countries.
To coincide with the visit I published a Comprehensive Review of our bilateral relations with Germany. I commissioned the review last year. The review process included our Embassy in Berlin, a number of Government Departments and State agencies, as well as the German authorities themselves, and the report, “Ireland in Germany: A Wider and Deeper Footprint” , makes 23 recommendations, including a proposal to open a new Consulate next year in Frankfurt.
The overarching message of the review is that notwithstanding the strength of our bilateral relationship, there is still scope to develop it further. I have, therefore, asked officials to start work immediately on the implementation of the recommendations.
Minister Maas and I agreed that formal consultations at State Secretary and Secretary General level should be held on a regular basis. While highly desirable in themselves, I see this formalised engagement as part of a wider, ongoing process of strengthening existing alliances in the European Union and building new ones.
