Wednesday, 25 Mar 2026

Employment Data

Questions (1)

Malcolm Byrne

Question:

1. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach the number of persons in employment in the State at the end of each year from 1986 to 2025, in tabular form. [23005/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

Referred to CSO for answer

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State, data for the LFS is collected quarterly. The most recent figures available are for Q4 2025. The table for this response uses Q4 as the reference period for the year from 1998-2025.

The estimates from 1986-1997 are from annual LFS reports undertaken in April/May of the reference year and are not directly comparable with the estimates from 1998-2025.

Table 1 shows the total number of persons classified as in employment by International Labour Organisation’s definition. LFS 1986-2025.

Year	Employment (Thousand)
1986	1,095.3
1987	1,052.6
1988	1,111.8
1989	1,111.0
1990	1,159.7
1991	1,155.9
1992	1,165.2
1993	1,183.1
1994	1,220.6
1995	1,281.7
1996	1,328.5
1997	1,379.9

1998	1,615.7
1999	1,723.1
2000	1,787.6
2001	1,833.1
2002	1,850.3
2003	1,899.4
2004	1,973.8
2005	2,070.0
2006	2,166.8
2007	2,230.7
2008	2,145.6
2009	1,970.6
2010	1,896.6
2011	1,886.4
2012	1,892.9
2013	1,969.6
2014	2,025.0
2015	2,083.9
2016	2,165.5
2017	2,234.7
2018	2,290.4
2019	2,377.8
2020	2,305.1
2021	2,551.4
2022	2,616.7
2023	2,706.4
2024	2,776.4
2025	2,833.1

Source: CSO, Labour Force Survey

Note: Estimates from 1986-1997 are annual estimates and are not directly comparable with the quarterly LFS estimates from 1998.

The Estimates from 1998 are taken from the Q4 LFS in the reference year.

Employment Data

Questions (2)

Malcolm Byrne

Question:

2. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach the number of persons recorded as unemployed in the State at the end of each year from 1986 to 2025, in tabular form. [23008/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

Referred to CSO for answer

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment in the State, data for the LFS is collected quarterly. The most recent figures available are for Q4 2025. The table for this response use Q4 as the reference period for the year from 1998-2025.

The estimates from 1986-1997 are from annual LFS reports undertaken in April/May of the reference year and are not directly comparable with the estimates from 1998-2025.

Table 1 shows the total number of persons classified as unemployed by International Labour Organisation’s definition. LFS 1986-2025.

Year*	Unemployment (Thousand)
1986	226.4
1987	225.4
1988	217.3
1989	196.8
1990	172.4
1991	198.5
1992	206.6
1993	220.1
1994	211.0
1995	177.4
1996	179.0
1997	159.0

1998	108.8
1999	90.8
2000	68.8
2001	79.7
2002	97.2
2003	89.3
2004	90.9
2005	91.9
2006	98.3
2007	114.7
2008	189.4
2009	300.9
2010	335.7
2011	340.1
2012	319.4
2013	276.3
2014	234.9
2015	206.5
2016	167.6
2017	145.0
2018	130.5
2019	111.6
2020	143.4
2021	130.1
2022	112.6
2023	117.7
2024	116.1
2025	128.2

Source: CSO, Labour Force Survey

Note: Estimates from 1986-1997 are annual estimates and are not directly comparable with the quarterly LFS estimates from 1998.

The Estimates from 1998 are taken from the Q4 LFS in the reference year.

Departmental Staff

Questions (3, 4)

Barry Ward

Question:

3. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Taoiseach the position regarding the number of employees that were employed in his Department at the end of December 2025, broken down by grade, in tabular form. [22884/26]

View answer

Barry Ward

Question:

4. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Taoiseach the number of employees in each of the agencies under his Department's remit at the end of December 2025, broken down by grade, in tabular form. [22904/26]

View answer

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.

As at end December 2025 there were 242.2 whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff employed in the Department of the Taoiseach and 16.6 (WTE) staff employed in the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of the Department.

Details of the breakdown by grade as at end December 2025 are set out in the tables below.

Department of the Taoiseach staff by grade*	WTE
Secretary General	1
Assistant Secretary	6
Principal Officer	20
Assistant Principal	48.8
Higher Executive Officer	39.3
Administrative Officer	27.8
Executive Officer	41.3
Clerical Officer	38.8
Services Staff	19.2

*excludes political staff and the Independent COVID-19 Evaluation Secretariat.

NESDO staff by grade	WTE
Assistant Secretary	1
Principal Officer	4
Assistant Principal	7.4
Higher Executive Officer	0.8
Executive Officer	2.4
Clerical Officer	1

Question No. 4 answered with Question No. 3.

Departmental Policies

Questions (5)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

5. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025. [23085/26]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

Since January 2025, the Department of the Taoiseach has been working across Government, including through the system of Cabinet Committees and associated Senior Officials' Groups, to progress the implementation of policy objectives in the Programme for Government.

Achievements to date include:

• Introducing temporary, targeted measures to reduce fuel prices for households and businesses, with additional supports for key sectors of the Irish economy, in response to the increased financial pressure on households and businesses arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. These measures include temporary reductions to the Mineral Oil Tax, an increase in the maximum repayment allowable under the Diesel Rebate Scheme, a reduction in the NORA levy, and a four-week extension to the fuel allowance season, benefiting 470,000 households in receipt of the fuel allowance.

• Finalising and commencing implementation of the new National Housing Plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, 2025-2030’, which aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030; support of working groups related to new Housing Plan.

• Supporting the preparation and implementation of Accelerating Infrastructure, the report and action plan to help drive the efficient delivery of infrastructure across Ireland, and associated sectoral infrastructure plans.

• Establishing a stand-alone Cabinet Committee on Disability and a Disability Unit within the Department of the Taoiseach, to oversee cross-government collaboration to improve the lives of disabled people, and the launch, in September 2025, of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. The first meeting of the Delivery and Monitoring Committee for this Strategy took place on 8 December 2025, and the Strategy’s First Programme Plan of Action, covering 2025 and 2026, has been published.

• Implementing the Child Poverty and Well Being Programme Office’s Programme Plan to reduce child poverty and promote well being, including: developing a dashboard of indicators to accompany the Government’s new ambitious Child Poverty Target; developing the new Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan for publication in Q2 2026; and preparing the Office’s second Programme Plan, informed by engagement with children and young people and by the annual Summit on Child Poverty and Well Being held in September.

• Establishing the Ministerial Council on National Security.

• Renewing and strengthening the British-Irish bilateral relationship, including delivering on the commitment to a series of annual UK-Ireland Summits; the second of which was hosted by Ireland in March 2026; and the British Irish Council Summit meetings, held in Northern Ireland in June and in Wales in December 2025.

• Progressing a new phase of the Shared Island Initiative, including allocations of over €100m from the Shared Island Fund to commence a range of new all-island programmes, working with the Executive and through the North South Ministerial Council, with the UK Government, and with Local Authority, Education and Civil Society partners across the island.

• Publishing a new National Digital and AI Strategy, Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future, in February 2026, setting out our ambition to 2030 to strengthen Ireland’s position as a digital leader and a global hub for applied AI innovation, building on our strengths to ensure Ireland's economy reaps the benefits of digital and AI for growth and competitiveness, and that we enhance our public services and empower our people to thrive in a digital society.

• Supporting the new Government Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity and implementing a series of pro-enterprise decisions in Budget 2026 to invest in Ireland’s enterprise base, support job creation, regional development, innovation, tourism and long-term competitiveness. This includes reducing the VAT rate for Food, Catering and Hairdressers to 9%, with effect from 1 July 2026; increasing R&D Tax Credits from 30% to 35%; enhancing the existing Capital Gains Tax Revised Entrepreneur Relief by increasing the lifetime limit on gains to which the relief applies, from €1 million to €1.5 million; increasing the National Minimum Wage by €0.65 per hour; extending SARP, the Special Assignee Relief Programme, and extending Relief on Foreign Earnings to the end of 2030 to assist indigenous exporting companies and their employees overseas.

• Engaging at EU and international level to pursue our foreign policy objectives and meet our international commitments, and engaging with EU leaders to advance high-level objectives in the Programme for Government, in particular economic and competitiveness issues; energy security; EU-UK relations; external relations including response to the situation in the Middle East; as well as continuing our strong, collective EU response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

• Planning and preparing for Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2026 in close consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

• Supporting the Cabinet Committee on Climate Action, Environment, and Energy, which oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment, climate action, energy, and emergency planning, including meetings on severe weather/flooding preparedness, response and adaptation.

• Hosting a Government Industry Forum on Offshore Renewable Energy and subsequently establishing a Clearing House on Offshore Wind Energy to address identified impediments to the timely delivery of a vibrant offshore renewable energy sector.

• Monitoring the implementation of the Climate Action Plan which contains key measures to help Ireland transition to a zero-carbon economy and society, and supporting the Taoiseach’s attendance at the COP30 Leader’s Summit in Belém, Brazil.

• Supporting the Cabinet Committee on Health, which oversees the implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to health, health reforms including Sláintecare and public health, health system preparedness for future health threats, mental health and drugs policy.

• Implementing the Well-Being Framework for Ireland and driving its whole of Government integration in policy making and budgetary systems.

• Supporting the Cabinet Committee on Water Quality, which oversees the implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the range of issues affecting Ireland’s water system, including securing an extension to the derogation for Ireland from certain aspects of the EU Nitrates Directive.

• Establishing the COVID-19 Evaluation to assess Ireland’s management and experience of the pandemic to learn for the future.

• Promoting and supporting civic engagement, including through the work of the National Economic and Social Development Office; the Labour Employer Economic Forum; and exchanging ideas on an agenda and working methods for a structured dialogue between Government and churches, philosophical and non-confessional bodies.

• Supporting the work of the North-East Inner City Initiative to deliver on their new Strategic Plan.

• Supporting implementation of the Dublin City Taskforce Report Capital City through the Roadmap for Delivery, published in June 2025.

• Advancing the Government’s Legislation Programme. Since this Government took office in 2025, 26 bills have been enacted and a further 26 Bills are at various stages in the Oireachtas.

Trade Agreements

Questions (6, 12)

Matt Carthy

Question:

6. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the proposed EU-Australia trade agreement; whether there is provision for investor courts in the proposed agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22611/26]

View answer

John Clendennen

Question:

12. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the EU- Australia Free Trade Agreement; her views on the likely impact this agreement might have on Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23033/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 12 together.

In the face of unprecedented global economic uncertainty, it is important for Ireland and the EU to diversify our markets with new, reliable global partners. Ireland remains committed to free and open markets.

Recent developments in the international trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification, including by finalising a number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Ireland fully supports the EU’s ambitious suite of FTAs as we look to diversify our critical supply chains and open up export markets for Irish companies.

The European Commission is working towards delivering a comprehensive and balanced FTA between the EU and Australia with momentum building towards a possible conclusion of the deal this week. Australia represents an attractive market for Irish exports and the FTA will deliver areas of tariff reduction that will benefit Irish industry.

An FTA with Australia would provide market access on preferential terms in a number of strategically important sectors including pharmaceuticals, chemicals and engineering with mechanical and electrical machinery manufactures set to benefit. At the same time, throughout negotiations Ireland and other Member States consistently highlighted the need to defend our sensitivities.

The currently proposed FTA contains an investment chapter and provisions for state-to-state dispute resolution through consultation and mutual agreement, but does not include investor-state dispute resolution mechanisms.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (7)

John Lahart

Question:

7. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the flight costs to her Department as a result of the recent evacuation scenarios in the Middle East; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22621/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

A very significant consular support operation is ongoing for citizens across the Gulf and the Middle East impacted by the current conflict. My Department has provided direct consular assistance to more than 2,700 citizens, as well as broader travel advice and guidance to many thousands more.

My Department's approach to the provision of consular assistance to those who wished to leave the region throughout this period centred on two primary axes. First, to pursue all possible options to facilitate Irish citizens on the limited number of flights still in operation and to request that direct routes to Dublin from the Gulf would resume, as soon as it was safe to do so. And second, in parallel, there was a clear focus on identifying and delivering repatriation options for Irish citizens, both through Government charters and those of our EU partners.

I would like to recognise the excellent cooperation we have had with all relevant partners in these efforts.

As you might be aware, my Department organised two repatriation flights, which departed from Muscat on 7 March and from Abu Dhabi on 11 March. These flights assisted the return of 380 Irish citizens and their families to Ireland, with a focus on those must vulnerable or stranded in transit.

Ireland activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for both our charter flights.

As was the case during the COVID crisis, and in line with most EU partners and the UK, citizens were asked to make a contribution towards the cost of the repatriation flights. The cost per passenger was calculated to a formula representing half the unit seat cost of the overall flight on the basis that the plane was full of paying passengers. This cost was set at €800 for the first charter, and €500 for the second, with no charge for children under 16.

The Department undertook to meet all remaining costs, including, in the case of the flight from Oman, those incurred for the complex transfer from Dubai to Muscat, security and medical support, and an overnight hotel stay for citizens, when operational difficulties arose.

A reconciliation of invoices is ongoing to arrive at the true financial position for both flights. When this process is complete, I can assure you that the total cost for each repatriation flight, including the total passenger and EU contribution, will be made available.

My Department, including officials working in embassies across the region, continues to closely monitor the security and political situation, and stands ready to provide consular assistance to all those that request it.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (8)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

8. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in light of the large number of Irish teachers working in the UAE , the guidance being given by her Department with regard to their safety and taking into account the fact that online teaching is being used in the Emirates; if she has engaged with the authorities in the UAE and other war impacted countries where Irish people are working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22639/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

A very significant consular support operation is ongoing for citizens across the Gulf and the Middle East impacted by the current conflict. My Department has provided direct consular assistance to more than 2,700 citizens, as well as broader guidance to thousands more, including by providing accurate and timely travel advice, and through proactive messaging.

Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked closely with EU partners, authorities in host countries, and others, with a view to identifying all possible options to support Irish citizens. This intensive engagement will continue.

My Department is aware of some Irish citizens who are anxious about their employment status, including in the event that they leave the region. My Department advises that citizens coordinate with employers regarding current protocols, office/school accessibility, and expectations for in-person versus remote attendance.

For matters related to employment contracts, citizens are advised to liaise directly with their employers, ideally before leaving the country, and seek local legal advice as appropriate. In line with the Consular Assistance Charter, my Department cannot intervene in legal or commercial matters.

My Department's travel advice remains to avoid all but essential travel to the region. Irish citizens in the region are advised to avoid unnecessary journeys, remain vigilant, closely monitor developments and local media, and follow the advice of local authorities, including when this is to shelter in place. Irish citizens are also advised to continue to avoid military and security force installations.

I encourage all Irish citizens in the Gulf or surrounding region seeking assistance to contact my Department’s Consular Crisis Team in Dublin directly on 01-4082000 or their nearest Irish Embassy.

International Relations

Questions (9)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

9. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number, and the number by awarding country, of Irish citizens who have requested permission to receive a foreign honour in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22654/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Article 40.2.2 of the Constitution states that “No title of nobility or of honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the Government.” The reference to "title of nobility or of honour" has been interpreted, in accordance with advice from the Attorney General, as referring to honours conferred by or on behalf of a sovereign authority, the recipients of which become entitled, by the law or custom of the foreign State in question, to use prefixes to their names such as “Sir”, “Dame”, “Lord” or "Marquis”.

If a foreign Government wishes to make any such award to an Irish citizen, the standard practice is that the relevant accredited foreign diplomatic mission would notify my Department of the conferral of the award. The individual in question is not usually involved in this process. It is noted that rights, privileges or dignities deriving from the award of a title of nobility or honour subsist solely within the jurisdiction conferring it and any other jurisdiction that may recognise rights, privileges or dignities as flowing from it. Under Irish law, such a title confers no rights, entitlements or dignities. Moreover, awards that provide for the use of letters or marks of distinction after one's name or involve the presentation of medals, ribbons or academic honours are not regarded as conferring a title of nobility or of honour in this context.

Based on a review of records held by my Department, I can confirm that the Government has considered 21 awards conferring a “title of nobility or of honour” over the past ten years. A table outlining each of these awards is set out below. The table reflects recent practice of not placing individuals’ names on the official record of the Oireachtas in the context of matters of this nature.

In the case of awards conferred by the UK, the recipients of the awards in each instance have been dual Irish-British citizens.

In relation to 11 of the instances summarised below, listed in the table as “No Decision”, the honours in question were extended to the Irish citizens concerned before the conferral was brought to the attention of the Government.

No facility exists for retrospective approval by the Government. My Department is in ongoing contact with the relevant authorities so that the prior approval of the Government is sought where awards of the nature outlined in Article 40.2.2 of the Constitution are to be conferred on an Irish citizen.

11/6/2005	UK	Knighthood (Knight Bachelor)	Approved
6/12/2005	UK	Knighthood (Knight Bachelor)	No decision
12/06/2008	UK	Knighthood (Knight Bachelor)	Approved
07/05/2013	UK	Knighthood (Knight Bachelor)	Approved
30/12/2013	UK	Damehood (Commander of the Order)	Approved
10/06/2014	UK	Knighthood (Knight Bachelor)	Approved
10/06/2014	UK	Knighthood (Knight Bachelor)	Approved
09/06/2015	UK	Knighthood (Knight Bachelor)	Approved
03/11/2015	Grenada	Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation	Approved
03/11/2015	Antigua and Barbuda	Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation	No decision
03/11/2015	Antigua and Barbuda	Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation	No decision
17/05/2016	UK	Knighthood (Knight Bachelor)	Approved
24/05/2022	UK	Damehood of the Order of the British Empire	Approved
24/05/2022	UK	Damehood of the Order of the British Empire	No decision
04/07/2023	UK	Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George	No decision
04/07/2023	UK	Damehood of the Order of the British Empire	No decision
04/07/2023	UK	Knighthood of the Order the British Empire	No decision
25/06/2024	UK	Damehood of the Order of the British Empire	No decision
25/06/2024	UK	Damehood of the Order of the British Empire	No decision
25/06/2024	UK	Knighthood (Knight Bachelor)	No decision
19/03/2025	UK	Knighthood (Knight Bachelor)	No decision

Departmental Staff

Questions (10)

Barry Ward

Question:

10. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the number of employees that were employed in her Department at the end of December 2025, broken down by grade, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22874/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The number of civil servants employed by my Department at 31 December 2025 is provided in tabular form below.

The number of civil servants currently employed by the Department includes staff serving in temporary roles to prepare for Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the European Council as our preparations for Ireland’s Presidency intensify across both policy and operational strands of planning.

In addition to civil servants, my Department also employs staff in our diplomatic missions abroad that are recruited locally. These employees are subject to local labour law and their salaries are set on a mission by mission basis based on their job description and on the prevailing conditions for salaries in each location. The number of locally recruited staff as at 31 December 2025 was 987.

Grade	31/12/2025
Secretary General	1
Assistant Secretary & Higher	34
Principal Officer & Equivalent	135
Assistant Principal & Equivalent	432
Higher Executive Officer	171
Administrative Officer & Equivalent	321
Executive Officer & Equivalent	347
Clerical Officer & Equivalent	916
Service Officer	35
Cleaner	12
Total	2404

Departmental Staff

Questions (11)

Barry Ward

Question:

11. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of employees in each of the agencies under her Department's remit at the end of December 2025, broken down by grade, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22896/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

There are no agencies under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Question No. 12 answered with Question No. 6.

Illegal Israeli Imports

Questions (13, 14)

Ciarán Ahern

Question:

13. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when she expects the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 to come before Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23065/26]

View answer

Ciarán Ahern

Question:

14. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of any engagements she or her officials have had with the European Commission or other EU member state officials in the previous 12 months including the dates of those engagements regarding the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025, in tabular form. [23067/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.

In June 2025, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill.

The main purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.

Legally, the regulation of external trade in services is considerably more complex than is the case with goods at EU level. There would also be greater complexity when it comes to implementation than is the case with regard to trade in goods.

The Government has received the Attorney General’s advice on the question of whether the inclusion of services in the Bill is permissible under EU law. The advice, which is detailed and extensive, identifies a number of significant legal and practical issues with the regulation by a Member State of trade in services with a country or territory outside the EU. Following detailed consideration by officials in my Department, clarification has been sought from the Attorney General on a number of legal issues.

Any legislation must be legally robust, able to withstand challenge and progress the Government's broader policy agenda.

Work is advancing across a number of strands at official level as well as engagement at EU level. Officials are in frequent contact with likeminded Member States in regards to the EU response to the current conflict and the issue of measures against Israel, both at national and European level.

It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this.

Question No. 14 answered with Question No. 13.

Departmental Policies

Questions (15)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

15. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the main policy achievements of her Department since 22 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23077/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Over the last fourteen months, my Department has achieved progress across a number of policy areas, framed by our commitments under the Programme for Government, and the Department’s Statement of Strategy.

Serving our citizens and strengthening our communities abroad is a priority for my Department. In 2025, the Passport Service issued over 900,000 passports and has successfully met high demand, with turnaround times at, or ahead, of target for virtually all application types. The majority of online adult renewal applications consistently issue within two working days. The Department also worked to further strengthen the provision of consular assistance and services, including through consular crisis preparedness, the importance of which was underlined by the significant consular support operation for citizens affected by conflict across the Gulf and Middle East.

The Government has continued to engage with Irish citizens and communities overseas to further deepen their connection to Ireland. The Emigrant Support Programme allocated just under €15.5m in grants to diaspora related projects in the 2025-2026 grant year. 2025 saw a substantial consultation process, led by Minister of State Richmond, with our diaspora around the world to feed into the Government’s new diaspora strategy, which will be launched shortly.

Peace and reconciliation on our island remain a core policy priority. Last September, the Tánaiste and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland published The Legacy of the Troubles: A Joint Framework, a comprehensive package designed to provide truth, accountability and, where possible, justice for victims and families who have lost loved ones.

Earlier this month, I launched a new Strategy for the Reconciliation Fund (2026-29). The Reconciliation Fund continues to play an essential role in demonstrating the Government’s commitment to peace and reconciliation across the island, supporting over 200 projects in 2025 with an increased budget of €8 million for 2026. The Department, including through the Secretariat in Armagh, has supported the work of the North South Ministerial Council.

The Department successfully rolled out the fourth round of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund in 2025, with an increased annual budget of €2 million - and a further €2 million will be dispersed over 2026. I was glad to launch the 'Shared Homeplace: Diaspora Voices' initiative as part of the Shared Homeplace dialogue programme in Boston earlier this month.

Ireland has continued to strengthen our bilateral relationships with our neighbours. Earlier this month, the second annual UK-Ireland summit was held in Cork, furthering the implementation of the UK-Ireland 2030 programme. The Ireland-Wales Shared Statement 2030 and the Ireland-Scotland Bilateral Cooperation Framework 2030 launched in 2025 and are being progressively implemented for mutual benefit.

Deepening our EU relationships and our influence at EU level has also been a central focus. My Department has advanced Ireland’s policy positions on key EU files such as the next EU multi-annual financial framework; the future of the EU single market and competitiveness; the simplification of EU legislation and regulation; the EU’s preparedness union strategy; and the EU democracy package. My Department has ensured Ireland’s input into key EU policy areas, including EU enlargement and engagement with candidate countries; upholding the rule of law across the Union; and EU-UK relations.

We have deepened our relations with European partners, including through the agreement of the France-Ireland 2026-2030 Joint Strategic Framework in January, and the launch of the refreshed Nordic-Baltic Strategy last December. My Department has significantly advanced preparations across Government for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of this year.

My Department continued to actively promote peace, security and the protection of human rights abroad. This included strong political, humanitarian, economic and non-lethal military support to Ukraine. During the visit of President Zelenskyy last November, the Taoiseach and President Zelenskyy agreed a 2030 Roadmap on Ukraine-Ireland partnership and the Taoiseach announced an additional €100 million for the provision of non-lethal military support for Ukraine. This brought the total amount of non-lethal military support to Ukraine committed in 2025 to €200 million.

The Government consistently advocated at EU and UN level for the two-State solution, and the equal right to self-determination, peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike, as well as full adherence to international law and international humanitarian law in the Middle East. In July 2025, Ireland played a significant role in the UN High Level Conference and the New York Declaration setting out key actions and principles in support of the two-State Solution. Ireland has engaged as a member of the core group of states driving the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, hosting the eight meeting of the Alliance in Dublin in January.

In response to recent conflict in the Middle East, I continue to call on all parties to step back, de-escalate, halt attacks, and create the space for dialogue that can lead to lasting diplomatic solutions. My Department recently announced €3 million in humanitarian funding to support people affected by the worsening crisis in Lebanon.

Support for the multilateral system and the international legal order, with the UN Charter at its heart, has remained a central focus. Ireland launched its campaign for election to a seat on the Human Rights Council from 2027 to 2029 last November, demonstrating our commitment to the promotion of human rights in a period where human rights norms are facing considerable pushback. My Department also prioritised engagement in support of a stable and secure international environment, through conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding; disarmament and non-proliferation, and promoting the resolution of disputes through multilateral diplomacy based approaches. To advance these priorities, we remain actively engaged in shaping the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and its Common Security and Defence Policy, and through a wide range of multilateral institutions, including the UN, OSCE, OECD and the Council of Europe.

We have maintained a constant commitment to climate action, gender equality, and the reduction of poverty, hunger and humanitarian need as outlined in A Better World. The Government allocated €810.3 million for the International Cooperation Vote in 2025, the largest ever allocation of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to date, and over €56m in additional financial resources has been allocated to this Vote for 2026. At the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris in March last year, Ireland pledged to spend €250 million on nutrition interventions annually for the next four years. My Department led on a World Health Assembly resolution to extend the targets of the Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition to 2030. In 2025, Ireland pledged €22 million in funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and €72 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. My Department led preparations for the 2025 Global Disability Summit in Berlin, the Second World Summit on Social Development, and the UN Financing for Development Conference in Seville in July. Ireland assumed the role of chair of the Nordic+ group of Development Agencies in May 2025 and hosted two meetings of senior officials.

The Department's climate diplomacy and climate financing continued to be scaled up and we remained fully on track to reach our target of €225m in climate finance per year to developing countries by 2025. At COP30, my Department collaborated with colleagues in DCEE and other government departments to secure a final consensus agreement. While the outcome did not reach the highest level of ambition, it provides clear and strong directional guidance for future progress.

My Department continues to deepen Ireland’s global engagement and drive Ireland’s trade and prosperity. Earlier this month, DFAT coordinated the 2026 St Patrick’s Day programme, which saw representatives of the State travel to more than 50 countries to promote Ireland, Irish values and interests across the world. The theme for St Patrick’s Day highlighted Ireland’s place in the world as a small, open trading economy.

Ireland’s invitation to participate in South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025 saw Ministerial-level participation across 18 meetings, as well as the Taoiseach's attendance at the Leaders' Summit. This resulted in significant opportunities for wider bilateral engagements in South Africa and the opportunity to participate in the G20 Development Ministerial meetings to advance global action on social protection, illicit financial flows, women’s empowerment, food security and disaster risk resilience.

The Department worked to strengthen Ireland’s political, cultural and mutually beneficial economic relations with the United States, including by building links with the US administration. The Ireland-Japan 2025 programme brought new momentum in Ireland-Japan relations, with the Taoiseach and seven other Ministers visiting Japan, the opening of Ireland House in Tokyo, and Ireland’s successful participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka.

Since January 2025, under Global Ireland commitments, we have opened four new missions. These are embassies in Belgrade, Chisinau and Sarajevo, and a consulate general in Melbourne. Preparations are underway for the opening of a consulate general in Málaga later this year.

The Government Trade Forum, which I chair, was established last year and has met on eleven occasions since then. The new Action Plan on Market Diversification was launched last August, with over 100 actions across Government Departments and State Agencies, with the ultimate objective of supporting businesses to achieve their market diversification ambitions.

The Government published the new International Sports Diplomacy Framework in May 2025 and a new International Sports Diplomacy Strategy in February. As the Global Ireland 2025 strategy has concluded, my Department is contributing to the development of Global Ireland 2040, a Programme for Government commitment.

The commitment to improve capacity and capability within my Department continues and is guided by a number of strategies, including the DFAT Human Resources Strategy 2023 – 2027, which drives implementation of a range of policies to support our staff, including a new Learning and Development Framework, a Gender, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan, and a Blended Working Policy for HQ and Abroad.

My Department has continued to deliver on behalf of Irish citizens at home and abroad during this period. I would also refer to the Department’s annual reports, which provide a comprehensive overview of our work.