Tánaiste remarks at the Political and Diplomatic Reception at the Embassy of Ireland in Paris

Check against delivery.

Monsieur le Ministre Délégué,

Monsieur le Haut-commissaire

Députés, Sénateurs,

Ambassadeurs, Ambassadrices,

Chers Amis,

A dhaoine uaisle,

A Chairde,

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir,

Happy St Patrick’s Day,

Je suis ravi d'être parmi vous à l’occasion de la fête de la Saint Patrick.

St Patrick’s Day provides us with the opportunity to celebrate Ireland, with the more than 70 million people globally, who claim Irish ancestry – and the many more, who show their fondness for Ireland, in a number of ways.

But it is also an opportunity to celebrate Ireland’s international connections and partnerships, which enrich both Ireland, and our partners overseas.

And here today, in Paris, we are celebrating a truly vibrant partnership between Ireland and France, which has lasted centuries and continues to grow from strength to strength.

I want to acknowledge the presence of Minister Haddad, Benjamin, here today as our guest of honour - a true symbol of that friendship and partnership between Ireland and France – thank you for joining us here today.

The links between Ireland and France have never been stronger – our political and economic ties are thriving, our governments are cooperating more than ever, and our people-to-people links are vibrant – even when the rugby doesn’t go our way!

My colleague, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and for Defence, Helen McEntee was in Paris only a few short weeks ago to sign a renewed commitment to the Ireland France bilateral relationship with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

The new France-Ireland 2026-2030 Joint Strategic Framework builds on our previous Joint Plan of Action and sets out a renewed, ambitious partnership for Ireland and France.

Focussing on three key pillars - a more competitive Europe, a safe/sustainable environment, and strengthened cultural/civic connections, it will be implemented through an ambitious action plan demonstrating the depth and breadth of the France-Ireland relationship.

Our economies are intrinsically linked – bilateral trade between Ireland and France stands at some €45.8 billion. French investment is the backbone of many Irish success stories, and vice-versa.

Exports in both directions are strong, including in the food and agriculture sector. We have some fine examples here today of the best of Irish food and drink products.

Our people-to-people contacts are also thriving, founded in a strong affinity between our two populations, which is also reflected in high tourism numbers in both directions, and growing education links.

Friends,

We are all aware that we are living through historic times of global uncertainty, and assumptions we once relied on are being challenged.

In response, the EU is addressing many fundamental issues on its agenda including competitiveness and security and defence.

Irelands more than 50 years of EU membership has been central to peace and prosperity on our island. It is the framework and foundation for how Ireland engages with the world. The European Union has delivered for our people, our businesses, and our students. Critically for Ireland - the EU has, and continues to deliver, for continued peace on our island.

But, we also need to be honest - there are, areas where we need the EU to do more and improve on delivery to our citizens. This will be a critical aspect in the approach we will take as Government of Ireland, during our EU Presidency later this year.

Our Presidency will prioritise values, security and competitiveness. These pillars go to the heart of what we want Europe to achieve and they are intrinsically interlinked. We know that France will be critical partner in driving our European agenda focussed on these themes.

Ireland was part of the first enlargement of the then EEC in 1973. While many rightly speak of the transformational impact EU membership can and will have for candidate countries, we have seen first-hand how Ireland has dramatically transformed through our 53 years of membership.

Securing EU membership for individual candidates has re-emerged as the strongest EU foreign policy tool at our disposal to ensure peace and prosperity across our continent. Ireland is committed to working to progress the enlargement agenda during our Presidency.

Competitiveness is what ensures that the European economy thrives, and that its citizens prosper. It is what delivers good jobs, good salaries and a good quality of life.

But we cannot take these things for granted. Europe faces competitiveness challenges on multiple fronts. We must ensure that we are focussed on effectively tackling these challenges, to avoid the risk of falling behind.

Deepening the Single Market, advancing the Savings and Investment Union and simplifying EU rules are essential to making it easier to start, scale up and finance businesses within Europe.

From the ongoing defence of Ukrainian sovereignty, to the urgent need for stability in the Middle East, Ireland and France stand together, and our shared commitment to multilateralism and the international rules based order, with the United Nations at its core is absolute.

Ireland’s position is clear – the UN Charter and international law must be upheld by all, and in any conflict, all parties must abide by their obligations under international law including International Humanitarian Law.

We are deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and Gulf region.

We have made clear our condemnation of the Iranian regime – its brutal repression of its citizens, its malign role in the region and its supply of weapons to Russia.

The attacks by Iran on Gulf States and in the region, many of which have large Irish communities, are deeply concerning, and we express our solidarity and sympathy with our regional partners.

We are also particularly concerned about the security situation in Lebanon, and that ongoing actions by both Hezbollah and Israel are undermining the fragile recent progress. Ireland utterly condemns recent attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers, and our position is clear that the Lebanese Armed Forces must be enabled to assert their role in providing security for Lebanon.

Notwithstanding the wider conflict in the Middle East, Ireland remains focused on the situation in Palestine. We are committed to working with key partners to end the conflict in Gaza, and to advancing a sustainable peace plan.

In moving forward, we must maintain a clear focus on steps to achieve a two-State solution, that guarantees the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination and to live in peace and safety within secure borders.

We also must acknowledge that the humanitarian situation remains desperate, and we cannot lose sight of the situation in the West Bank, which is appalling.

Just two weeks ago, we marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked invasion and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Russia’s continued attacks on civilians and critical energy infrastructure are appalling. We recognise the impact this has on the people of Ukraine and during the visit of President Zelenskyy to Ireland in December last year, we pledged €27 million to the Energy Support Fund.

We support ongoing efforts to end Russia’s war of aggression and achieve a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine. We will continue to support these efforts as part of the EU and through our membership of the Coalition of the Willing.

Russia’s war of aggression has transformed the security landscape in Europe, and has destabilised not just Ukraine, but the European security order as a whole.

This has revealed vulnerabilities and the multitude of threats that we all must confront.

Ireland is determined to step up our own security to confront these threats, to uphold our values and to protect the well-being of our citizens and our economy. Our responsibilities extend not only to our own people, but to our closest partners also.

France is indeed one of those closest partners, and we are working together closely as Ireland continues to accelerate our commitment to invest more in our defence forces.

Across the EU, countries are investing more in security and defence capabilities, and for Ireland, we will continue to grow this investment in line with our policy of military neutrality.

Friends,

It is clear that the Ireland-France relationship is going from strength-to-strength. But it is also clear that the relationship has never been more important.

We are two nations who look outward, we are two nations that embrace innovation, and we are two nations that believe in Europe.

We have a shared spirit of independence, creativity and deep-seated joie de vivre. So today, let’s carry that spirit forward in continuing to strengthen our ties.

To our enduring friendship!

À notre amitié durable!

Merci and Go Raibh Maith Agaibh.

ENDS