Forewords
Foreword by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
I am pleased to publish this Statement of Strategy for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, covering the period 2026 – 2029. This document sets out the Department’s mission, alongside high-level goals and deliverable outcomes and outputs we wish to achieve in pursuit of that mission.
We now operate in a continuously evolving and challenging international context. New challenges, many of which most would not have predicted only a few years ago, emerge almost daily. In the face of global uncertainty and increased pressure on international law and multilateralism, Ireland’s commitment to our core values remains steadfast. We will continue our strong and consistent advocacy for, and contribution to a stable and secure international environment, to the multilateral system with the UN at its heart and to human rights and international law, throughout the lifetime of this strategy statement.
Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second half of 2026. Preparations are now at an advanced stage and we are focused on delivering a successful presidency underpinned by our values with a key focus on security and competitiveness. Beyond the Presidency, Ireland will continue to lead and shape the EU agenda working towards ever deeper influence across political, economic, trade, humanitarian, development, climate and security policies.
Our support to Ukraine is unwavering, and we will continue to ensure Ukraine remains at the forefront of the international and EU agenda. More than four years into the war, the humanitarian situation remains severe. Ireland will continue to provide humanitarian, development, critical infrastructure and defence support, push for strong sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal war of aggression and support Ukraine’s recovery efforts and its EU accession path.
This Statement of Strategy launches in the context of a period of significant instability in the Middle East. The years ahead will see continued leadership by Ireland internationally in support of peace and security in the Middle East, advocating for the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, based on the principles of the UN Charter and full adherence to international law and international humanitarian law. On Israel-Palestine, we will continue to build support for our fundamental conviction that the only just and sustainable peaceful solution for both Palestinians and Israelis is the implementation of the two-State solution.
Our passport and consular services continue to provide first class support to Irish citizens at home and abroad, and the importance of this support has been underlined by our response to crises around the globe, including the recent crisis across the Middle East and the Gulf. We will continue to develop and enhance our service provision for the benefit of citizens and all those we serve in the years ahead.
Through our Official Development Assistance, we will continue to support the furthest behind first, respond quickly to existing and emerging humanitarian crises, and enhance our support for priority issues including climate action, gender equality and strengthened governance.
Ireland is running for election to the Human Rights Council for the term 2027-2029. Our approach to membership will be driven by our long-standing commitment to uphold human rights and the values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
We will work to deepen Ireland’s global engagement and drive our trade and prosperity, including through our 107 strong diplomatic mission network, as expanded significantly under Global Ireland 2025. We will actively contribute to the development of Global Ireland 2040, to set out Ireland’s ambition for global engagement over the next decade and beyond.
Trade diversification remains a key aim of our overall economic policy and I will continue to lead the Government Trade Forum, facilitating engagement between relevant Ministers, State Agencies, business organisations, trade unions and other representative groups on latest emerging trade developments and opportunities.
The stable and effective operation of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement cannot be taken for granted, and we are committed to sustaining progress in implementing the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements, peace, political progress and enhanced reconciliation in Northern Ireland and across these islands. We will also continue to deepen our relationship with the UK on the basis of the UK-Ireland 2030 Joint Statement.
The work of this Department does not exist in a vacuum, and I am conscious that the positive working relationships we enjoy with other government departments and state agencies will be critical to our continued success. We are committed to working as part of Team Ireland to derive the greatest possible benefit for Ireland and all citizens through our external engagements.
I look forward to working closely with my Ministerial colleagues, Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, and Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence in delivering on our objectives in the period ahead.
Helen McEntee TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Foreword by Ministers of State
This Statement of Strategy launches at a critical time for Europe and its people, and as Ireland prepares to undertake a significant leadership role, in our Presidency of the Council of the EU.
We have prepared extensively for the delivery of a successful EU Presidency, including through a comprehensive stakeholder consultation, which has been a fundamental and valuable part of our work. I welcome the focus in this Strategy Statement on continued engagement with Irish citizens on EU matters, including through the Communicating Europe Initiative, post-EU Presidency. We must ensure that we bring home the realities, and the benefits, of our EU membership to communities across Ireland.
Our EU Presidency will be a key moment on our European journey as we work to deepen our influence in Europe and increase our engagement on EU issues. We will ensure that Ireland’s position, influence and reputation in the EU, is maintained and enhanced.
During our EU Presidency and beyond, Ireland will play a central and proactive role in shaping a European Union that is reflective of Irish values and interests in its policies and ambitions. This Statement of Strategy sets out our ambitions to advance priorities, including competitiveness and an
ambitious EU trade agenda, enlargement of the EU, and the rule of law.
I look forward to working with my Ministerial colleagues, and alongside colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to advance these issues to the benefit of our citizens.
Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence
I welcome the publication of this new Statement of Strategy, launched as Ireland continues to re-affirm our commitment
to supporting those who have been left furthest behind, and at a time when funding for development and humanitarian work is decreasing globally. 2026 sees the largest Official Development Assistance allocation in history. This funding will support our core commitments on climate action, gender equality, the reduction of poverty and hunger, as well as addressing humanitarian need in an increasingly volatile international context. In the years ahead, Ireland will continue to stand up for our values and to defend and champion multilateralism and the Sustainable Development Goals.
A new diaspora strategy, launched earlier this year, sets out how we intend to meet the evolving needs of Irish communities around the world, and deepen our engagement with diaspora communities. We will do this working through key themes including wellbeing and advocacy, identity and culture, connection and contribution, and work will also continue supporting those who wish to return to Ireland.
I look forward to supporting the implementation of this strategy, working with my Ministerial colleagues and the DFAT team at home and abroad.
Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora
Foreword by the Secretary General
This Statement of Strategy is a comprehensive expression of how the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will work towards our mission to serve Ireland, promote our values and interests abroad and play our part in ensuring Ireland can derive the maximum benefit from all areas of its external engagement. It will guide our daily work, business planning, and review processes to ensure we achieve our high-level goals, which encompass all areas of the Department’s delivery.
The now over 3,400 staff of the Department are committed to ensuring that we continue to deliver an excellent public service for Irish citizens at home and abroad. In addition to locations on this island, we are now operating in 107 overseas locations, with the opening of Consulates General in Malaga and Melbourne. Our expanded footprint overseas, Team Ireland approach and effective deployment of new modes of operation including through the expanded Ireland House model, means we are well-positioned to meet the challenges of the modern geopolitical environment.
A major priority is the delivery of a successful and impactful EU Presidency, with significant additional staff working to deliver for Ireland in the latter half of this year.
Recent developments in the Gulf and Middle East have underlined the importance of an effective consular capacity and crisis response, with demand for broader consular assistance consistently increasing worldwide. We will work to strengthen our capability to ensure continued effective support to Irish citizens affected by the volatile international environment. The Department delivers a world-class passport service, now regularly issuing close to 1 million passports annually, meeting and regularly exceeding estimated turnaround times.
I am conscious that a significant proportion of our staff overseas are operating in challenging and unstable environments. Colleagues in Kyiv, Ramallah, Tel Aviv, Tehran and recently across the Gulf have experienced prolonged periods of uncertainty and insecurity. Investment will continue in security systems and protocols, our ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and property management to ensure our staff are provided with a safe and secure working environment.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to attach the highest priority to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion in our workforce and our policies, as we strive to be an organisation that reflects the diversity of the people we serve. This is core to our values as a Department and guides us in all we do.
Joe Hackett, Secretary General