Written Answers Nos. 1-20
9. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparations ongoing in relation to Ireland’s forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66737/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland will hold the EU Presidency in the second half 2026. This is an important opportunity, and as the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I am looking forward to engaging actively on our policy and operational preparations. I am determined that we will make the most of our Presidency to shape the EU agenda.
The priorities and policy programme for our Presidency will take into account the EU’s Strategic Agenda for 2024-29 and the legislative work programme of the European Commission. They will also be shaped by our own priorities across an array of areas including but far from limited to the protection of EU values at home and abroad, the enlargement of the Union, European security, and the competitiveness and simplification agenda, which covers a wide range of areas including housing and the delivery of infrastructure.
It is important to stress, however, that our policy programme will only be finalised and published shortly before the start of our Presidency term in June 2026.
I recognise the importance of ensuring that stakeholder groups also have their voices heard. A series of consultation meetings with stakeholders from across business, civil society, trade unions and other interest groups has recently taken place. A call for written submissions on the development of Ireland’s policy priorities, hosted on gov.ie, launched on 5 November and will run until 12 December.
Work is also underway to prepare for more than 250 meetings to be hosted in Ireland during the Presidency. These will include a summit of the European Political Community, an informal meeting of the European Council, and up to 22 informal Ministerial meetings.
The Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency. I am confident that in 2026 Ireland will be able to make a significant and positive contribution in leading the EU’s agenda.
15. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on any discussions with EU Commissioner Maroš Šefèoviè; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66297/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement she is planning with fellow trade ministers internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66428/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 81 together.
Since the shift in US trade policy earlier this year, the global trading environment has fundamentally changed. As a small open economy, we are particularly vulnerable to these external developments.
That is why since earlier this year, in his previous role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Tánaiste engaged intensively on an ongoing basis with Commissioner Maroš Šefèovic, with whom he had an excellent working relationship. As we navigated the fast-paced developments of recent months, at every opportunity the Tánaiste advocated to Commissioner Šefèovic for Irish interests and sensitivities. He also consistently made the case for a negotiation approach with the US that was calm and measured.
In my new role I will continue with this approach. I will do everything I can to impress upon the Commissioner how vital international trade is to the Irish economy and continue to highlight to him the importance of sectors such as pharma and medtech, not just for Ireland, but for Europe as a whole.
I will also engage actively with my fellow EU trade ministers both bilaterally and through my attendance at the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade, or FAC (Trade).
Indeed, just last Monday I met with Commissioner Šefcovic and my European trade minister counterparts at the FAC (Trade) in Brussels. We discussed the key trade issues of the day, including continuing to work towards concluding trade deals with new partners such as India; the challenges in respect of EU-China relations; and the ongoing implementation of the EU-US Joint Statement.
Following the meeting there was a working lunch which was also attended by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer. I used the opportunity to highlight the need for the EU and the US to work together towards a new transatlantic trade and investment relationship based on mutual respect, shared values and common goals. I also highlighted the priority the Government attaches to extending exemptions under the EU-US Joint Statement to additional areas including spirits and med tech.
16. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps she is taking to address the concerns of returning Irish emigrants who find it difficult to access public services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66421/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government remains committed to facilitating an easier return for our citizens abroad, including access to public services. The Programme for Government contains specific commitments in this regard, relating to PPS numbers and driving licences, as well as the commitment to develop a new diaspora strategy.
Work on the new diaspora strategy is already underway, and as part of its development, I hosted over twenty in-person consultations with Irish communities around the world, as well as a large-scale online consultation. These discussions offered an opportunity to respondents to share their views on the barriers faced by returning emigrants, which will feed directly into the new strategy.
Reducing administrative barriers faced by those who wish to return to Ireland is a central priority for the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair. The Committee consists of representatives of key government departments and external stakeholders, who we work with closely on specific issues such as access to PPS numbers and the criteria around habitual residence in areas such as social protection and housing.
Access to driving licences is another issue that has come up regularly. Ireland currently allows licence exchanges with 21 jurisdictions, including Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and seven Canadian provinces. As exchange agreements with the US have to be concluded on a State by State basis, our focus initially is on those states with a significant Irish population. Engagement is currently underway with New York State.
To ensure citizens have access to the relevant information, we fund the Citizens’ Information Board's "Returning to Ireland" portal, which contains a wide range of very practical information and advice for returning emigrants. Furthermore, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade works closely with partners such as Crosscare and Safe Home, who provide support and guidance to returning Irish emigrants.
17. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if advancing Ukraine’s membership of the EU will be a key priority under the Irish Presidency of the EU next year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66599/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland will hold the EU Presidency from July to December 2026. This will be an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda.
Ireland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement and I am confident that it will feature in our Presidency. We firmly believe that it is through EU membership that peace and prosperity can best be ensured across our continent. Ireland will use our upcoming EU Presidency to facilitate progress towards EU membership for all candidate and potential candidate countries which have met the necessary criteria, including for Ukraine, which has managed to enact significant reforms despite fighting an illegal war of aggression against their nation. Following the publication in early November of the 2025 Enlargement reports, the Commission has confirmed that Ukraine has met the necessary criteria to allow the opening of negotiating clusters 1, 2 and 6.
I will be pushing for Ukraine’s candidacy to progress at the Foreign Affairs Council, as Ireland continues to be a strong supporter of Ukraine’s EU path.
As I said in response to an earlier question, Ireland's overall Presidency priorities and policy programme remain under development and will take into account the EU's Strategic Agenda for 2024-29, the legislative programme proposed by the European Commission, and the Government's priorities in relation to the EU. Consultations with our European partners will also inform the development of our priorities, as will the evolution of the Council’s legislative agenda through the Presidency terms of Denmark and Cyprus.
A consultation process with domestic stakeholders is also guiding the development of Ireland's programme and priorities. This process will allow consideration to be given to a broad range of policy issues as our programme is developed.
Following the conclusion of this process, the Government will agree and publish our programme of policy priorities for the Presidency in June 2026, shortly before the start of Ireland's Presidency term.
18. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on her recent meeting of the European Union Foreign Ministers in Brussels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66681/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra38. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on her attendance at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 20 November 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66278/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 38 together.
I attended my first Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on 20 November in Brussels.
The wide-ranging agenda focused on Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the Sahel and Sudan. We also met with ASEAN Foreign Ministers over lunch.
We were briefed by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who provided an update on the current situation in Ukraine at this critical time. Member States reiterated their commitment to continuing political, financial and military support for Ukraine in the face of continuing Russian aggression. Tackling Russia’s Shadow Fleet was a major focus, with clear support from Member States for additional measures in this area. I took the opportunity to reiterate Ireland’s steadfast solidarity and support for Ukraine, our support for further sanctions on Russia, as well as our strong support for Ukraine’s EU accession.
On the Middle East, I expressed Ireland’s readiness to contribute towards a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians through the implementation of the two-State solution. I stressed that the immediate priority must be to ensure that sufficient humanitarian aid enters Gaza, and expressed deep concern at the disturbing situation in the West Bank. During the meeting, Member States supported the HR/VP’s proposal to reinforce the mandates of the two civilians CSDP missions, EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS. There was also agreement to enhance EU coordination in efforts to support implementation of the peace agreement, the necessity to continue efforts to empower the Palestinian Authority, and to continue contacts with both Israel and the US.
Over lunch, we met with 11 Foreign Ministers of ASEAN where we discussed the benefits of greater EU-ASEAN economic cooperation.
The Council also discussed the situation in Sudan, following a request by Ireland and other Member States for a discussion on this devastating conflict and humanitarian crisis. Member States issued a statement calling on all parties to the conflict to resume negotiations to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Restrictive measures against the deputy leader of the RSF were also adopted. On the Sahel, Member States welcomed the EU’s Renewed Approach to the region and underlined the importance of continued engagement.
There was a brief exchange under current affairs on a number of issues including the upcoming Ministerial meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Following the FAC, I attended the first meeting of the Palestine Donor Group. The meeting was co-chaired by the European Commission and the Palestinian Authority, where we had an opportunity to focus on important issues such as the fiscal stability of the Palestinian Authority and the economic recovery of the West Bank, progress on the Palestinian Authority reform agenda, as well as the latest developments in Gaza. In the margins of this meeting I had the opportunity for a brief exchange with the Prime Minister of Palestine.
19. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when she will introduce the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025; if it will be introduced ahead of the December recess of Dail Éireann; if she given any consideration to the inclusion of services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66497/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June, 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, including East Jerusalem. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade held a number of hearings on the General Scheme, and received submissions representing a range of views and perspectives.
Pre-Legislative Scrutiny is an important part of the legislative process and the Tánaiste has thanked the Committee for its report on receipt. Detailed work to analyse the report and its recommendations is well underway.
The Regulatory Impact Assessment is currently being finalised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and will be available on the Department’s website when completed.
The next steps in the process, including the timeline for the progress of the Bill, are being considered by Government.
The General Scheme fulfils the commitment in the Programme for Government to prohibit the import of goods from the occupied Palestinian territory. Trade in services is considerably more complex than is the case with goods and there remains considerable legal uncertainty as to whether the inclusion of services is permissible under EU law. Legal clarity is needed on this point.
We must also take account of practical issues with regard to implementation should services be included in the scope of the Bill.
It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this.
In this context, Ireland has welcomed the announcements by the Dutch, Slovenian, and Belgian Governments regarding the banning of the importation of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, and the introduction of legislation by the Spanish government
At the EU level, the primary right now is ensuring the success of the ceasefire and peace deal and of making a contribution to international efforts in this regard.
20. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the significant crisis in relation to overseas development aid, that is being caused by the huge cut in USAID; and whether the issue of debt held by third world countries is being discussed at EU level. [66752/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe global environment for development cooperation changed dramatically in 2025, and this uncertainty will continue into 2026. The OECD’s Development Assistance Committee projects a 9 to 17 percent drop in overall development assistance in 2025, on top of a nine percent decline in 2024. By 2027, it is expects that development assistance will fall to levels last seen in 2020.
While the biggest single shock has been the closure of USAID, twelve other developed countries have publicly announced cuts in their ODA for the coming years. These will have a disproportionate impact on the humanitarian, health, and education sectors, with least developed countries and sub-Saharan Africa particularly impacted.
Amidst this uncertain outlook for global development cooperation, the Government remains clear on our commitments, to reducing humanitarian need, and to reaching the furthest behind first. The Government will continue to work towards the target of providing 0.7 percent of Gross National Income as ODA. Budget 2026 provided for an increase of €30 million in funding for the international development programme, Irish Aid, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This will enable us to increase support for the crises in Gaza and in Sudan, for instance. However, we need to acknowledge that it will not be feasible for Ireland, or any other single donor, to fill the major funding gaps caused by the ODA reductions by others.
On debt, we recognise that a country’s ability to borrow is essential to enabling investment in sustainable development. Growing debt servicing costs continue to constrain the fiscal space of many developing countries. This potentially translates into reductions in expenditure on health, education, and social protection.
At EU level, it is agreed that we must address the persistent debt challenge many countries face and work to lower the cost of borrowing. Ireland is supportive of all initiatives that assist countries with debt issues. These include the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments and the Paris Club and we continue to call, where appropriate, for reform and improvements.
