The Government, through our Embassy in Washington D.C. and our network of Consulates across the United States, has strong and ongoing engagement with a wide network of elected representatives and the U.S. Administration. This includes many senior Republican Senators, Representatives, Governors and state and local officials.
At the beginning of February, I travelled to Washington D.C. and met with a significant number of elected officials in Congress, from both sides of the political aisle. I was pleased to meet with the bipartisan Friends of Ireland Caucus which presented a valuable opportunity for deepening US-Ireland relations, and advocating for Irish interests, on a cross-party basis. This included raising the issue of immigration and the undocumented Irish. As set out in the Programme for Government, advancing the case of undocumented Irish citizens in the U.S. is an important issue and one that I take very seriously.
During the visit, I also met with senior members of the U.S. Administration, including US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Deputy National Security Advisor Andy Baker.
My visit was one of four Ministerial visits to the US so far in 2026. Next month the Taoiseach, as well as seven Ministers and the Ceann Comhairle will undertake St Patrick’s Day programmes in the U.S. The Taoiseach's programme will, as always, include engagement at the most senior level of the Administration and of Congress.
[]Furthermore, last month I announced that I would reinforce Team Ireland in the U.S., by adding new staff to our Embassy in Washington DC and our Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin, New York and Atlanta. Our enhanced diplomatic presence across the U.S. will ensure that we are best placed to influence, anticipate and respond to initiatives of the U.S. Administration
