Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2025
164. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of the diplomatic and trading relationship between Ireland and Estonia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55184/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has an excellent bilateral relationship with Estonia. Irish-Estonian relations within the EU are positive and we are likeminded on many areas of EU policy, particularly on approaches to the Single Market, banking and capital markets unions, and the digital single market.
I regularly engage with my Estonian counterpart, Minister Margus Tsahkna, at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. In addition, former Minister of State for European Affairs, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D., travelled to Estonia in September last year and met with the Secretary General of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jonatan Vseviov. They had an extensive bilateral discussion focusing on our support for Ukraine and topics on the EU policy agenda.
My department maintains regular diplomatic contacts with Estonia, primarily through our Embassy in Tallinn, which opened in 2001. The Embassy works to enhance the political and economic relationship between Ireland and Estonia, to enhance links with the Irish diaspora and promote Ireland and Irish culture. Estonia’s diplomatic representation to Ireland is based in Dublin and opened in 1997.
The Enterprise Ireland office in Warsaw manages the Baltic States, including Estonia, and works closely with the Embassy in Tallinn. Goods exports for 2024 amounted to €28m and imports were €25m. In services, Ireland exported €394m in 2023.
Bilateral ties with the entire Nordic Baltic region, including Estonia, have deepened in recent years. As we move closer to our Presidency of the Council of the European Union I look forward to even closer cooperation with Estonia including further exchanges at all levels of government.
