Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2024
77. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the impact of the Global Ireland 2018 – 2025 strategy to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3165/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGlobal Ireland 2025 is a whole-of-Government strategy that aims to double Ireland’s global footprint and influence in the period 2018 to 2025.
Significant progress has continued on the Global Ireland 2025 strategy to build Irelands impact and influence in the world. The ambition is to make our voice count for more on the international stage, to build our national reputation, and to be a strong participant in global enterprise, trade, culture, diplomacy, peacebuilding, and development.
In July 2023, the Government published a comprehensive review of the strategy. The review confirmed that it is on track and continuing to deliver strongly for Ireland. It also reaffirmed that while expanding our global reach was a good idea at the outset of the strategy in 2018, it is indispensable in facing today’s unprecedented economic and political challenges.
It found that implementation of the Global Ireland 2025 strategy has brought significant benefits to Ireland, including by equipping our country to better withstand the challenges of recent years; positioning Ireland to make effective contributions on issues of national and global concern, and supporting a diversification in markets and international alliances. The review also identified areas for greater focus and action in the period ahead.
Among the achievements of the strategy are 22 new missions which have been opened or announced for opening, comprising 11 embassies, and 11 consulates general; the appointment of seven new cultural officers abroad; the launch in May 2021 of A Career for EU Strategy; the EU50 Programme (2022-2023); and Ireland’s successful term on the UN Security Council in 2021-2022.
Global Ireland regional strategies for engaging with Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Nordic region, Latin America and the Caribbean and the US/Canada have been launched and are being actively implemented, building relationships with important partners, winning jobs and investment for Ireland in key markets, promoting Ireland’s values and culture and strengthening connections to our diaspora. In addition, a new Global Ireland integrated communication framework, with ireland.ie as Irelands primary international digital platform, has been developed, complementing an expanded cultural attaché programme,
Between now and the end of 2025, when the Strategy concludes, the primary objectives of particular reference to my Department will be to continue to expand Ireland’s network of missions; fully implement the five whole-of-government regional strategies and two country-specific strategies (France and Germany).
We will enhance Ireland’s impact in shaping the future direction of EU policies, budgets, programmes, and legislation, particularly in preparation for Ireland’s presidency of the EU in 2026, and via our ongoing presidency of the Eurogroup, our programmes to mark EU50, and through increased representation of Irish citizens in the EU institutions.
We will deliver a comprehensive programme of engagements at Expo 2025 Osaka; expand assistance for promoting Irish arts and culture internationally, implementing Culture Ireland’s 2022-2025 strategy, appointing new cultural officers in priority locations, and furthering the development of international cultural capital projects. My Department will also work with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on the implementation of their new international strategy – Global Citizens 2030 – Ireland’s International Talent and Innovation Strategy.
A key deliverable of the Global Ireland programme was the successful campaign to win a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council, and we will build on the legacy of our UN Security Council term and Council of Europe presidency, including by seeking election to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 term.
