Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he recently spoke to the Vice President of the United States of America, Mr. Mike Pence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53273/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government engages frequently with the US Administration and US elected representatives, both Republican and Democrat, on all aspects of the Ireland-US relationship and on other issues of mutual concern.
I have had significant engagements in the US this year. In February, I met with then US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson; Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen; Special Representative for International Negotiations to the US President, Jason Greenblatt; in addition to White House senior advisers, and a number of Congressional leaders. In the course of my visit to New York in September for UN High Level week, I also met with US Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan.
The St. Patrick’s Day period in Washington, D.C., provides an excellent opportunity for such substantive engagement, and I can confirm that the Taoiseach met with the US Vice President, Mike Pence, in March, along with very many other US elected representatives.
I hope to travel to the United States in early 2019 for a series of political and other engagements. While I have not had contact with Vice President Pence to date, I would very much welcome the opportunity to meet with representatives of the US Administration, including the Vice President at that time, as well as other key Congressional leaders.
