Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2026
72. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has assessed whether Ireland is out of step with other European Union member states in not maintaining a trade or representative office in Taiwan; and if consideration has been given to reopening an Irish Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei to strengthen economic, trade, cultural and links with Taiwan. [69001/26]
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.
My Department has never maintained an office in Taipei. IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland, previously had an office in Taipei but it was closed in 2011 solely based on business reasons. IDA Ireland now manages the Taiwanese market from its Singapore office, and Enterprise Ireland, the agency responsible for enterprise development, manages the market from its office in Hong Kong.
I am aware that some EU Member States have trade offices in Taipei, and I note that the EU has maintained its European Economic and Trade Office in Taipei since 2003. However, it is important to note that decisions on the opening of new offices by the Government are taken on the basis of need and how best to promote our own interests abroad rather than to match the approach of other countries.
There are currently no plans to establish a trade and cultural office in Taipei. The establishment of new offices is always kept under review. The opening of new offices is a resource-intensive process. Decisions are evaluated on the basis of a number of factors, including cost-benefit considerations and whether it is possible for existing offices to adequately cover the work. Ultimately there are a range of policy considerations before such decisions are taken, including alignment with Government policy.
