From Department of Foreign Affairs; Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
On 22 October, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, will officially open Ireland’s new Consulate General in Wales. Since its establishment in 2019, the Consulate General has already strengthened political, commercial, community and cultural ties between Ireland and Wales.
Welcoming the official launch, Minister Coveney said:
"The re-establishment of the Consulate is testament to Ireland’s commitment to increasing cooperation and collaboration with Wales across the business, arts, sporting and community sectors. I am delighted to be marking this important milestone with our Consul General, Denise Hanrahan, in the presence of the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford.
"Ireland and Wales are the closest of neighbours, and we have a strong and positive relationship built on age-old connections and a deep cultural understanding. Our modern and vibrant relationship has grown from historic links, common heritage and culture, and close people-to-people, business, cultural and sporting connections."
As part of the visit, Minister Coveney will also lead the Irish Government’s attendance at the inaugural Ireland Wales Forum, hosted by the Welsh Government. This provides the opportunity to bring together Irish and Welsh ministers to exchange views and approaches on critical issues, including sustainability and green recovery, as well as trade cooperation, economic development, climate action and energy policy.
Minister Coveney will be accompanied by Robert Troy TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, and Minister for Transport, who will join the event virtually.
Speaking ahead of the Forum, Minister Coveney said:
"I am delighted to co-chair the Inaugural Ireland Wales Forum with First Minister Drakeford today. We launched an ambitious framework for the Ireland Wales relationship earlier this year and one of our shared priorities was to deepen cooperation in important sectors. Today’s Forum will be an excellent platform for doing so."
Minister Troy said:
"I am delighted to be participating in today’s Forum, as we come together to assess our established economic ties, to examine challenges we face collectively, as well as the common opportunities that we hope to harness in order to further trade cooperation between Ireland and Wales."
Minister Ryan said:
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to take part in this event, coinciding with the opening of our Consulate in Cardiff. I also welcome the opportunity to discuss climate change and energy policy with Welsh Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters, and hear about Welsh priorities in this area."
The Consulate General of Ireland in Wales is located in Cardiff Bay. Headed up by Consul General, Denise Hanrahan, the diplomatic mission was re-established in 2019 as part of the Global Ireland 2025 programme.
The establishment of a Consulate General in Wales demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the British-Irish relationship following the UK’s departure from the EU. It also forms part of a wider programme of investment in Ireland’s footprint in Great Britain in recent years, including an enhanced whole-of-government presence in London, the opening of the Consulate General for the North of England on 1 October 2021, and the establishment of an Enterprise Ireland Office in Manchester in 2019.
The Consulate works to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones across all sectors—business, education, politics, culture, sport, and community - including by leading on implementation of the Ireland Wales Shared Statement and Joint Action Plan 2021-25. Embassy of Ireland in London will continue to provide most consular services to Irish citizens in Wales, including passport and visa services. Please see the Embassy London website for more information.
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 out the ambitions and plans for the Ireland-Wales relationship in the years ahead, as both countries work to increase cooperation and collaboration between both governments and other partners.
One of its key actions was a commitment 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.
This year’s inaugural Ireland Wales Forum will focus on sustainability and green recovery, with discussions on bilateral relations, trade promotion, economic development, climate action and energy policy. A joint communiqué will issue by the Government of Ireland and Welsh Government following the Forum and will be available here from 2pm on 22 October.