Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2024
19. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the contact he or any Minister in his Department have had with any minister or official in the government of Israel since January 2014; the nature of these contacts, the purpose of these contacts; if a record was kept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39071/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEngagement with a range of ministerial and other counterparts is a central part of my work, and that of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have had various contacts with Israeli counterparts and government officials. I travelled to Israel in September 2023, as part of a three-day visit to the Middle East, when I met with the Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and President of Israel. I also visited Israel in November 2023, when I met again with my counterpart, then Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. These types of visit are standard, and former Ministers of this Department have undertaken similar visits, and held similar meetings, since 2014.
Management of Ireland's bilateral relations with other States is a competence of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Engagement by Ministers or officials from other Government Departments with their counterparts and with resident Embassies in Ireland is also a standard occurrence.
In terms of the records of these engagements, my Department manages its records in compliance with requirements under the National Archives Act 1986, Freedom of Information Act 2014, GDPR and the Data Protection Acts and Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.
