Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
141. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of his visit to the United States of America, including meetings and engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7048/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI travelled to the United States from 5 - 7 February, for a series of engagements in New York and Washington, D.C.
In New York, I met with representatives of a number of UN Member States for wide-ranging discussions, including on Ireland’s candidature for a seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2021 – 2022.
In Washington DC, I attended a Ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, of which Ireland is a member. This was a good opportunity to meet with representatives of some of the 70 approx. countries in attendance, and to sit down with US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, for discussions over lunch.
Engaging with Secretary Pompeo, my meetings with the Congressional Friends of Ireland, as well as other meetings with Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress, were valuable opportunities to discuss priority issues, in particular in relation to Northern Ireland, Brexit, immigration, our economic relationship and foreign policy issues.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet with US Special Representative for International Negotiations, Jason Greenblatt, to discuss Middle East issues.
The centrepiece of the visit was a large event on Capitol Hill, with the Congressional Friends of Ireland, to mark the centenary of the First Dáil at the opening of the 116th Congress. I thanked the Friends of Ireland for their unwavering commitment to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland - a commitment which is as vital as ever.
I was also delighted to launch at this event the Government’s new Strategy for the US and Canada, under the Global Ireland Initiative. This Strategy will see Ireland doubling its impact in both the US and Canada, through investment and engagement; deepening, broadening and securing these hugely important relationships at every level for the future.
