Press release
Minister Coveney welcomes Budget for a Global Ireland
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, has welcomed Budget 2022 as an indication of the government’s continuing commitment to increasing Ireland’s role on the international stage.
The budget includes an increased investment in Irish Aid, bringing Ireland’s annual overseas development aid budget to over €1 billion for the first time.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, said:
"This budget follows through on the Programme for Government which envisages an Ireland that is ambitious, visible and active in promoting the interests of our nation on the international stage.
"As we emerge from the pandemic, international engagement will be crucial to Ireland’s national economic and social recovery. This budget is another clear indication of our determination to build international partnerships, expand and diversify trade, and advance Ireland’s wider contribution to the world.
"Our Global Ireland Strategy aims to double Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. Next year we will open four new missions in key locations.
"As travel continues to open up, Budget 2022 will see us invest an additional €10m in passport services in response to the increasing demand for passports both at home and abroad.
"I am also delighted to announce an increase of €2m to our contribution to the International Fund for Ireland in recognition of the vital work they do to promote contact, dialogue and reconciliation across communities in Northern Ireland and the border counties."
Minister for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy TD, said:
"This budget brings Ireland’s overseas development aid budget to over €1 billion for the first time. The increase of €140 million in the overall budget for international development is the second highest annual increase ever and is an important statement of Irish global solidarity at a time when many millions around the world are trying to cope with the challenges of the pandemic, increasing hunger and climate change.
"This increase to Irish Aid’s budget will allow us to continue to support those furthest behind. A lesson of the pandemic is that we need a global public health system that is fit for purpose. I will ensure a focus on getting COVID-19 vaccines to those who need them, through supporting COVAX and continued investment in health systems in partner countries, working closely with the HSE.
"With global hunger rising due to the pandemic, in addition to the ongoing impact of conflict and climate change, this allocation will allow us to increase our response to humanitarian crises in the spirit of generosity which has long characterised us as a people. It will also enable increased Irish Aid investment in improving food systems, essential to future food security for all.
"Given that climate change is threatening development gains already achieved, next year I will deepen the Irish Aid response including through support to developing countries’ efforts to adapt their infrastructure and systems to climate related threats."
Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, said:
"A vital area of work for this department is the strengthening of our engagement with the European Union. We are cooperating more closely than ever before with our EU partners, developing new links and partnerships. Just this week I travelled to Dunkirk to open a new shipping route and discuss opportunities for future cooperation around trade, tourism, and education exchanges with what is now Ireland’s nearest EU neighbour.
"Ireland’s future is at the heart of Europe. We want to ensure that Ireland plays a key role in the debate on the future of the Union. To support this, we have allocated an additional €1.25m to an initiative to increase the number of Irish officials seconded to key European intuitions. Increasing the number of Seconded National Experts to the EU institutions was a key commitment in the department’s ‘A Career for EU’ strategy. This will strengthen Ireland’s voice and influence in Europe."