Emer Currie
Ceist:247. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the main policy achievements of her Department since 22 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30478/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 28 April 2026
Ceisteanna (247)
Freagraí scríofa
Since 22 January 2025, my Department has achieved progress across a broad range of policy areas. I refer the Deputy to my response to PQ 23077/26 provided on 25 March 2026, which outlines the main policy achievements up to that date. In the last month, my Department has continued to deliver on commitments under the Programme for Government and the Department’s Statement of Strategy across a number of policy areas.
Peace and reconciliation on our island is a key policy priority. A new round of the Shared Ireland Civic Society Fund was launched on 20 April 2026. The Fund was developed as part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative and supports grassroots, cross-border projects to strengthen North South links.
We continue to prioritise engagement on the EU agenda and deepening our influence at EU level. My Department has worked to advance Ireland’s policy positions on core EU files ahead of our Presidency of the EU later this year. In this context, I met with my European counterparts at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 21 April and an informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv at the end of March.
Support for the multilateral system and the international legal order, with the UN Charter at its heart, has remained a central focus. Ireland participated in the 61st session of the Human Rights Council last month, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the promotion of human rights as we continue our campaign for election to the Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 term.
The Government has consistently advocated for the equal right to self-determination, peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike, as well as full adherence to international law and international humanitarian law in the Middle East. Following Ireland's hosting of the eighth meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in January, Ireland participated in the ninth meeting this month in Brussels. Ireland also participated in the Third International Conference on Sudan on 15 April, where we pushed for the international community to reengage to secure a comprehensive ceasefire in Sudan. More broadly we continued our response to humanitarian crises around the world.
Earlier this month, I visited Ukraine and participated in the second edition of the Ireland Ukraine Strategic Dialogue with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha, where we discussed shared priorities as we continue to strengthen our partnership. I also met with President Zelenskyy, underlined Ireland’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people and government in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression, and officially opened Ireland’s Embassy in Kyiv.
We have maintained our commitment to driving Ireland’s trade and prosperity. I convened the twelfth meeting of the Government Trade Forum on 22 April, engaging with economic stakeholders to discuss international developments including the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, EU-US trade and tariffs, free trade agreements, market diversification, and the Government’s infrastructure plans and progress. Ireland also participated in the 14th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 26 to 29 March.
Serving our citizens remains a central priority for my Department. So far this year, we have issued over 320,000 passports. We also continue to provide vital consular support and assistance to Irish citizens globally, including those affected by ongoing instability in the Middle East and Gulf.
On 26 March, the Department published its first Departmental Action Plan, which sets out priority actions to be delivered this year under each of the six high-level goals of the Statement of Strategy and acts as a useful overview of many of the Department's main policy priorities this year.