Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
266. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will consider the establishment of a trade office in Taipei, along the lines of the existing EU office or those of other EU member states; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1315/26]
View answerIreland, along with our EU partners, adheres to the One China Policy. This means that we recognise the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, and that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, the absence of diplomatic of relations does not preclude the development of economic, cultural and people-to-people connections. Nor does it preclude the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant multilateral fora, as appropriate.
The European Union is represented in Taiwan by the European Economic and Trade Office, established in 2003. This office represents all EU Member States, including Ireland, and seeks to strengthen economic and trade relations with Taiwan. There has also been a Taipei Representative Office in Dublin since 1988.
There are currently no plans to establish a trade office in Taipei. IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland, actively manages the Taiwanese market from its Singapore office. Enterprise Ireland, the agency responsible for enterprise development, manages the Taiwan market from its office in Hong Kong.
The establishment of new offices is always kept under review. However, it should be noted that the opening of new offices is a resource-intensive process. Such decisions are evaluated on the basis of a number of factors, including cost-benefit considerations and whether existing offices can adequately cover the work. Ultimately there are a range of policy considerations before such decisions are taken, including alignment with Government policy.
