Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2026
5. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken by her Department to recognise and further strengthen Ireland’s historic, cultural and diplomatic relationship with France, as Ireland’s closest European Union neighbour; and whether consideration is being given to initiatives to mark the historic links and friendship between the two countries. [69692/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland and France are neighbours, not simply through geography but also centuries of shared history. I have raised this matter in parliamentary questions previously. On 31 August, I had the honour of attending the ceremony beneath the Arc de Triomphe, attended by Deputy Ward last year. A wreath was laid to honour the Irish who fought with French armies. La France se souvient de l’Irlande et l’Irlande doit aussi se souvenir de la France. France remembers Ireland and Ireland should also remember France. During our EU Presidency, what can we do to give permanent expression in Ireland to that extraordinary friendship?
I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I fully agree with him. The relationship and partnership Ireland and France has is shaped by a number of things, including our proximity. With the UK having left the EU, it is our closest EU neighbour. We have deep historical connections and increasingly integrated economic ties. We also have many shared values. For that reason, earlier this year I launched the new France-Ireland joint strategic framework for 2026 to 2030, with my French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot. The framework builds on and focuses on the achievements of the first joint action plan from 2021 to 2025, which saw a period of significant expansion in our economic and trading relationship and business links as France unintentionally became our nearest EU neighbour.
The new joint strategic framework focuses on a number of things, including co-operation in three broad areas. This is underpinned by an action plan to make sure that we are not just talking about how we can strengthen our relationship, but how we can put that into action and set ourselves targets to move forward. The first is how we work together as partners for a more competitive Europe.
During our Presidency, one of our three priorities is competitiveness. How do we ensure that Europe is competitive? How do we ensure that Ireland, as well as member states and our partners, remain open and competitive? This includes investment in our resources in France. I am pleased to say that, currently, our three new defence attachés to London, Paris and Washington are going through their training. I hope our French attaché will be able to take up that position in the coming weeks. We also have a talent and innovation attaché to our embassy in Paris. Recently, a consulate general was opened in Lyon. In November, the annual France-Ireland Economic Forum will bring together policymakers, industry and business representatives to focus on enhancing our trade and business ties.
Second, we are working bilaterally and in European and multilateral forums, such as the International Organisation of the Francophonie, to promote a fair, safe and sustainable global environment.
I have spoken to the Minister about this before but one person who brings much of the shared history together is General Charles de Gaulle. His ancestry comes through the McCartan family from County Down. His ancestors served in the Berwick's Regiment as part of the great Wild Geese tradition. Ireland fascinated the de Gaulle family intellectually. His grandmother, Josephine Marie Anne Maillot, wrote a biography of Daniel O'Connell, which de Gaulle read as a young man. When he came to Ireland, he met Éamon de Valera at Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park. This is, therefore, a tangible connection. We also will have a physical connection with the Celtic interconnector. Will the Minister engage with the OPW and French authorities to investigate a permanent commemoration? Potentially, that could take the form of the naming or co-naming of an appropriate section of Chesterfield Avenue in honour of Charles de Gaulle and the enduring Franco-Irish friendship. It would cost relatively little but its symbolism would endure for generations.
I support that call for the change on Chesterfield Avenue. As convener of the Ireland-France Parliamentary Friendship Group, I support any move we can make to solidify that historic and cordial relationship we have with France. I acknowledge the increase in our diplomatic footprint in France that the Minister outlined. We have a great team on the ground, and that is yielding results in its own way.
It is a stated aim of the European affairs committee to advance negotiations to make Ireland part of L'Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie. As the Minister knows – she represented Ireland at it - Ireland has observer status at L'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. While we are a part of that organisation, we are not a part of the associated parliamentary organisation. I ask the Minister to commit to support an application by the Oireachtas to become part of the L'Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie. It is not specifically a French thing but, rather, a French language thing. The French language is spoken and studied by more people in Ireland than any other language, so it is an important move to solidify that relationship.
I thank both Deputies. The naming of this road was raised before by Deputies Heneghan and Ward, as well as by other Deputies. My understanding is that the OPW engaged on this but I am happy to engage with it further to see whether there are different options available. The point is how we commemorate and acknowledge that relationship and connection. I know there are familial connections, such as with the O'Connell family and others. We have launched our new strategic framework, and it is about finding a way within those actions to commemorate that individual.
Beyond that, however, there is a huge amount of work in this document. It is important to progress it from an economic, energy, cultural and international perspective. I am happy to engage with Deputy Ward on his proposal. As he said, it is the only time I have ever given a full speech in French, which I am very proud of. At the same time, we do not have full status or engage as regularly or in the same way as other countries. I am happy to explore that with the Deputy further.
I welcome that. As the Minister said, we have already joined that framework. We should not allow the Presidency to pass without leaving something permanent. I welcome the Minister's commitment to chase this up with the OPW. There is much connection between Ireland and France, about which I am learning more and more. For example, after the Second World War, the Irish Red Cross established hospitals in shattered Normandy towns. The 92nd Infantry Regiment of the French Army continues to carry the heritage of Irish soldiers who served in France centuries ago. Under the Arc de Triomphe, Irish names of Irish descendants can be seen engraved into the rocks. This Presidency gives us an opportunity to ensure that friendship is not only remembered but permanently recognised. Our histories are intertwined and our friendship will endure.
I am happy to engage further on this matter. The Deputy mentioned the security and defence space. I met my French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, on 3 June 2026. We discussed our Presidency priorities and how we advance co-operation on competitiveness and other areas, with particular regard to bilateral co-operation on European security and defence. In the Middle East, specifically Lebanon, we have a proud history of working together on the ground. Our troops work to protect the Lebanese people and support the Lebanese armed forces. We also have an increasing bilateral relationship when it comes to our defence co-operation more broadly, and I would like to see that expand and grow, given our history and proud tradition of peacekeeping.
This document is a developed blueprint from the previous document. It details opportunities where we can try to strengthen that relationship. I am happy to follow up on the issues both Deputies specifically raised with me.
