90. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the main policy achievements of her Department since 22 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50802/26]

Since 22 January 2025, my Department has made progress across a broad range of policy areas. I refer the Deputy to my response to PQ 30478/26 provided on 28 April 2026, which outlines the main policy achievements up to that date. Since then, my Department has continued to deliver in line with commitments under the Programme for Government and the Department's Statement of Strategy.

A new Statement of Strategy for the Department covering the period 2026-2029 was published in May 2026 and details the Department's main policy priorities across six high-level goals. The Statement of Strategy also sets out the Department's mission to serve Ireland, promote our values and interests abroad, and to provide the Government with the capabilities and influence to ensure that Ireland derives the maximum benefit from all areas of its external engagement.

Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union commenced on 1 July and our policy programme for the Presidency was published on 10 June. The Presidency priorities focus on the core themes of competitiveness, values and security. Major legislative and policy issues include work on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, implementation of the 'One Europe, One Market Roadmap' to enhance the Union's competitiveness, plans to progress EU enlargement, and work to take forward the safety of children online. During the Presidency, Ireland will host 22 informal ministerial meetings as well as a meeting of the European Political Community and an informal meeting of the European Council. We welcomed the College of Commissioners to Cork earlier this month and the Presidency opening ceremony in Dublin Castle was attended by President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the European Council, António Costa.

As Presidency, Ireland will continue to work with our EU and international partners in support of Ukraine and will support efforts to secure a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, based on the principles of the UN charter. We will also continue to provide support to Ukraine, continue to support robust targeted sanctions and work to advance Ukraine's path to EU accession.

Throughout the Presidency, Ireland will continue to reaffirm the EU's commitment to international law and achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. The Government approved the text of the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026 on 26 May and the Bill was published on 29 May. I introduced the Bill in Dáil Éireann on 10 June. While Ireland is moving ahead at national level, the Government remains clear that collective action on this issue at EU level is the strongest and most effective route. Ireland is actively pursuing that collective approach at EU level.

We have continued our response to humanitarian crises around the world, most recently announcing €1million in funding to support relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.

My Department continues to support peace and reconciliation at home and deepen our bilateral relationship with the UK. The sixth annual Ireland-Wales Ministerial Forum took place in Dublin on 24 June at which the Welsh First Minister and I announced an expansion of research collaboration between Ireland and Wales. The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and I represented Ireland at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 30 April. We discussed a range of issues with the British Secretary of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland including legacy, political stability, security, and British-Irish cooperation. The 31st plenary of the North South Ministerial Council was held in May, with business and trade matters, tackling gender based violence and ending violence against women and girls, infrastructure and investment cooperation and emergency planning and preparedness on the agenda.

The Government's new Diaspora Strategy was published on 30 April at the Global Irish Civic Forum, which brought together 250 diaspora representatives from 21 countries. The Strategy was underpinned by the largest ever consultation undertaken with the diaspora and contains 23 commitments across five key threads: Wellbeing & Advocacy, Identity & Culture, Connection & Contribution, and Departure & Return and Sharing our Experience. The new Irish passport was launched in late June and incorporates some of the most advanced security technologies in a travel document, with certain features being used in a passport for the first time anywhere in the world.

My Department continues to drive Ireland's trade and prosperity. I chaired a meeting of the Government Trade Forum on 29 June, focusing on defence, security and economic resilience. The discussion examined how Ireland can build greater resilience, support innovation and ensure Irish companies are well placed to benefit from emerging opportunities across areas such as cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, space technologies, artificial intelligence and other high value sectors. The Ireland, Latin America and the Caribbean Trade Horizons Forum took place in Croke Park in May, which saw trade delegations, political leaders and businesses from a range of sectors explore mutual opportunities for trade growth.