Press release
Minister Coveney welcomes Welsh ministerial delegation led by First Minister Mark Drakeford to Cork
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
On 14 October, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, will lead the Irish Government’s attendance at the Ireland-Wales Forum in Cork.
Following the inaugural Forum in Cardiff in 2021, the event provides brings together Irish and Welsh ministers to exchange views and learning on key issues to include trade and economic cooperation, as well as renewable energy.
Minister Coveney will be accompanied by Michael McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Speaking ahead of the Forum, Minister Coveney said:
"I am delighted to co-chair this second Ireland-Wales Forum with First Minister Drakeford today. It is an important opportunity to assess progress in our ambitious framework for Ireland Wales cooperation published last year. It is also an opportunity to deepen cooperation in important sectors such as renewable energy."
Minister McGrath highlighted the importance of his engagement. He said:
"The Forum provides us with an ideal opportunity to further develop the wide range of projects and collaborative networks that have been built up through the Ireland Wales Programme, building on the strong economic, sporting and cultural ties which we have historically enjoyed."
Minister Calleary went on to say that he welcomed:
"the opportunity to discuss trade cooperation and economic development with his Welsh counterpart, Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething and to share Ireland’s approach to regional enterprise development."
The Forum concludes a two-day programme in Ireland led by First Minster Drakeford. The overall programme showcases the breadth of the Ireland Wales relationship, including partnerships in the cultural, academic and business spheres.
The Ireland-Wales Shared Statement and Joint Action Plan 2021-25 was launched by Minister Coveney and First Minister Mark Drakeford in March 2021. It sets a framework for the Ireland-Wales relationship as both countries work to increase cooperation and collaboration across a range of sectors.
A key commitment within the Shared Statement was to inaugurate a new high-level annual Ireland-Wales Forum to engage political, economic and broader stakeholders to build relationships, reflect on ongoing collaboration and consider opportunities for further cooperation.
The inaugural Ireland Wales Forum was held in Wales in 2021. This is the first time that the event will be held in Ireland. This year’s Ireland Wales Forum will focus on bilateral relations, trade cooperation and economic development, as well as renewable energy policy. A joint communiqué will issue by the Government of Ireland and Welsh Government following the Forum and will be available here on the afternoon of 14 October.
The Welsh delegation will comprise the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford MS, the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths MS, and the Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething.
In addition to the Ministerial Forum, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Deirdre Forde, will welcome the Welsh First Minister and his delegation to City Hall. The broader programme includes engagements with the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, the National Museum of Ireland, University College Cork, MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine research and innovation, and members of the Cork Chamber of Commerce.