Alan Kelly
Ceist:221. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on activities of the Irish Consulate General Office in Sao Paulo, including staffing levels. [16506/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 March 2026
Ceisteanna (221)
Freagraí scríofa
Ireland and Brazil enjoy warm bilateral relations, which are strengthened by our long-standing historical links and by the large, vibrant Brazilian community resident in Ireland.
The opening of Ireland’s Consulate General in São Paulo in 2018 demonstrates the deepening of the relationship between Brazil and Ireland and our commitment to the future of this partnership. The launch in 2022 of Ireland’s Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean further demonstrated Ireland’s commitment to expand our engagement in the region.
Ireland’s Consulate General in São Paulo, works closely with the Embassy of Ireland in Brasilia to develop Ireland’s political, economic, cultural and people-to-people connections with Brazil. For example, in the area of education and research, the Consulate has a strong partnership with the Research Foundation of the State of São Paul, as well as the University of São Paulo (USP), including the WB Yeats’ Chair of Irish Studies. The Consulate also provides services to Irish citizens, across the seven states in the South and Southeast region of Brazil – São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Espírito Santo – for which the Consulate has responsibility. There are currently two posted diplomats and 3 local staff working in the Consulate.
The Consulate also works closely with the State Agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, whose regional headquarters are based in Ireland House in São Paulo, as part of Team Ireland’s collective work to advance Ireland’s commercial and promotional interests.
The upcoming visit of my colleague, Minister Darragh O’Brien, as part of St. Patrick’s Day 2026, will serve to strengthen our ties in the above areas.