U.S. Congressman Bill Keating Leads Congressional Visit to Ireland
Press release
10 November 2022Congressman Bill Keating, Chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber, and member of the Congressional Friends of Ireland caucus, will lead a Congressional Delegation visit to Dublin and Belfast starting on Thursday 10 November.
On Thursday, the Congressional Delegation will meet with the Taoiseach, followed by a meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs hosted by Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne. These meetings will focus on Northern Ireland, Brexit, Russia’s war against Ukraine, the future of Europe and the transatlantic relationship, and the strong and enduring ties between Ireland and the United States. The delegation will also visit Leinster House for a meeting with members of the Oireachtas, hosted by the Chair of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Charles Flanagan.
Commenting on the visit, Minister Byrne said:
“I look forward to meeting this U.S. Congressional Delegation led by Representative Keating, and for the opportunity to discuss Ireland’s relations with the United States, including the vital role the United States has played in promoting peace on the island of Ireland, immigration and people-to-people links; and on our mutually beneficial trade and economic relationship.
“We will also discuss key international issues affecting Irish and American citizens, including Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and how Ireland can play a constructive role in strengthening the EU-US relationship now and into the future.”
ENDS
Press Office
10 November 2022
Notes to editors
The U.S. Congress Representatives are:
1. Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA)
2. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY)
3. Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA)
This is the second U.S. Congressional delegation to visit Ireland this year, following the visit of a delegation led by ‘Friends of Ireland’ Co-Chair Richard Neal in May.
This visit also follows a period of active Irish Government engagement with the US Administration this year.
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.’
The Government’s Strategy for the US and Canada is available here.
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