Press release
Minister Coveney welcomes US Congressional visit to Ireland
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Richard Neal, Chair of the United States House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means and Co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, will lead a bi-partisan Congressional Delegation visit to Kerry, Dublin and Belfast starting this weekend. The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will host a working lunch for the delegation and several Irish Government and political representatives, which will focus on Northern Ireland, Brexit, the future of Europe and the transatlantic relationship, and the deep and enduring ties between Ireland and the United States of America.
Commenting on the visit, Minister Coveney said:
"The return of in-person visits between Ireland and the United States is crucial as we embark on re-engaging and rebuilding economically post-COVID. I welcome this hugely positive opportunity to engage with and brief this Congressional delegation on key international issues that are affecting Irish citizens.
"I look forward to an exchange over lunch on Northern Ireland, ahead of the delegation’s visit there next week, and on all aspects of Ireland-US relations: including immigration and people-to-people links; on our mutually beneficial trade and economic relationship; as well as key international issues, including how Ireland can play a constructive role in strengthening the EU-US relationship now and into the future."
During their time in Ireland the Congressional Delegation will also meet with President Michael D. Higgins and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Congressman Neal will also address the Seanad on Tuesday evening.
The US Congress Representatives in this delegation are:
1. Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA)
2. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX)
3. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)
4. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI)
5. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
6. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA)
7. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA)
8. Rep. David Joyce (R-OH)
9. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)
This is the first US Congressional delegation to visit Ireland since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, and follows a period of active Irish Government engagement with the US Administration in recent months. Minister Coveney met with Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington, D.C. in April. The Taoiseach met virtually with President Biden while in Washington, D.C, and eight Government Ministers travelled to key US cities as part of the international St. Patrick’s Day programme for 2022, focussing on the theme of ‘Connection & Community.’