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News & Events

July 2015

Minister of State Kathleen Lynch T.D. visits the occupied Palestinian territories

10 July 2015 

Kathleen Lynch T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Primary Care, Social Care (Disabilities and Older People) and Mental Health, visited Ramallah, the Old City of Jerusalem and Bethlehem in early July. The Minister gave a keynote speech at a Disabilities conference in Tel Aviv and took this opportunity to arrange additional engagements. 


April 2015

Ireland renews commitment to world's poorest countries

18 April 2015

Ireland will continue to spend at least 50% of our overseas aid in the world's poorest countries, the Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion, and North South Co-Operation, Seán Sherlock, TD, announced today.


March 2015

Minister Sherlock announces €12 million for humanitarian crisis in Syria

31 March 2015

Ireland will provide €12 million in 2015 in funding and emergency supplies to help meet the urgent needs of those affected by the Syria conflict. The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion, and North South Co-operation, Seán Sherlock, TD, at a major humanitarian pledging conference for Syria in Kuwait.

Minister Deenihan addresses the Seanad on Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy

10 March 2015

Minister for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan, TD, is this evening (Tuesday) addressing the Seanad on Ireland’s new diaspora policy Global Irish. The policy, which was launched last week, is the first comprehensive statement of Government policy on the Diaspora.

Minister Flanagan to address UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

4 March 2015

Today Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, travels to Geneva to address the United Nations Human Rights Council. In his remarks, Minister Flanagan will focus on extremism, freedom of religion or belief, gender equality, the rights of LGBTI individuals, freedom of expression, a number of pressing human rights crises, including in Syria and Ukraine. Minister Flanagan will also address Irish national initiatives at the Human Rights Council on civil society space and preventable morbidity and mortality of children under five.

Ireland’s first Diaspora Policy launched

3 March 2015

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD together with An Tánaiste, Joan Burton TD, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, and Minister of State for Diaspora Affairs, Jimmy Deenihan TD launched Global Irish: Ireland’s Diaspora Policy. Global Irish is the first clear statement of the Government’s policy on the diaspora. The policy recognises the unique and important relationship between Ireland and its diaspora and sets out actions to nurture and develop this relationship, and to engage the diaspora.

February 2015

Minister Flanagan to meet key players in Middle East Peace Process

17 February 2015

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, will today meet with senior Israeli and Palestinian figures to discuss the Middle East Peace Process and Ireland’s relations with the region. Later this morning, Minister Flanagan will meet with the Foreign Minister of Israel, Avigdor Lieberman, in Tel Aviv.

Funding of €4.7 million for the Palestinian people announced

16 February 2015

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, today announced funding of €4.7 million to UN agencies as part of Ireland’s programme of assistance to the Palestinian people. The funding will go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the UN’s Emergency Response Fund.

Minister Flanagan to visit the Middle East

13 February 2015

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, today (Sunday) begins a week-long visit to the Middle East.
This is Minister Flanagan’s first visit to the region as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The visit will take in Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Jordan.

2015 is a critical year for development - Minister Sherlock

4 February 2015

The Minister for Development, Trade Promotion and North South Co-operation, Seán Sherlock, TD, has singled out 2015 as a critical year for global development during an address to the Seanad.


January 2015

Government launches Ireland’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security

14 January 2015

The Government launched Ireland’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security at The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Conference: ‘Representing the Global Island’.

Keynote Address by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan TD at The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Conference: Representing the Global Island

13 January 2015

It is an honour and a privilege to give a keynote address at this Conference as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I would like to begin by thanking the Taoiseach for appointing me to this coveted Cabinet position last July!

Representing the Global Island Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Conference, 2015

12 January 2015

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, T.D., will this week task Ireland’s Ambassadors with redoubling their efforts to support Irish businesses internationally as part of the Government’s drive to deepen our economic recovery and increase employment.