Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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6. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to the new French Prime Minister, Michel Barnier; if it is his intention to invite the new Prime Minister to visit Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36393/24]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Recently, the French President nominated Michel Barnier and the Assemblée nationale has confirmed him as the new Prime Minister of France. Michel Barnier is very well briefed with affairs in Ireland and is a good friend of Ireland. Has the Tánaiste reached out to him since his appointment to deepen direct contacts between France and Ireland?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising the question. I understand the Taoiseach has spoken to Prime Minister Barnier to congratulate him on his appointment. I know Prime Minister Barnier well from his time as the EU’s chief negotiator on Brexit. He is a good friend of Ireland and I wish him every success in his new and challenging role. Prime Minister Barnier knows Ireland well and would, of course, be very welcome to visit.

I also look forward to working with my newly appointed counterpart, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot. I have written to congratulate him on his appointment and have extended an open invitation to visit Ireland during his tenure. Former French Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne, visited Ireland last November together with a ministerial delegation. The visit was a testament to the excellent working relationships between both countries, including at the highest levels of Government.

The Ireland-France joint plan of action comes to an end next year and it has substantially delivered for both countries on shared priorities in areas such as energy security, sustainability, research and education, and trade links. When they met recently, the Taoiseach and President Macron agreed that a second ambitious plan should now be agreed. As two committed European democracies, we share considerable interests and values which can be advanced.

We are currently witnessing great momentum in the Franco-Irish economic relationship across all sectors. Two-way trade between Ireland and France has increased substantially in the past ten years, reaching a record value of €30 billion in 2022. Our increased connectivity post Brexit has created a greater sense of proximity and given rise to new opportunities for business. France is one of the leading EU investment partners in Ireland and one of the top destinations in Europe for Irish investment. We look forward, and I look forward, to a strong working relationship with Prime Minister Barnier and his Cabinet.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. Although there are very good links between Ireland and France, there is capacity for even greater links in a post-Brexit environment. One of the perverse positive outcomes of Brexit was the growth in direct connectivity between Ireland and France, with direct sailings from Rosslare to France, and indeed to Belgium, rising from six per week to 46 per week in each direction.

Last week in Wexford we had a delegation from Normandy developing the Norman linked history between Wexford and the south east of Ireland in particular, but with most of Ireland too, and the Normandy region of France. There is huge potential here economically, culturally and touristically. Are we taking enough concrete measures now to ensure they are fully utilised? The appointment of a Prime Minister of France who is so well versed in Ireland and so familiar with Ireland would be great advantage. I am interested to hear the Tánaiste's perspective.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy. One of the few silver linings in the dark cloud of Brexit was Rosslare. There is no question that the Franco-Irish relationship has gained a fresh momentum as a consequence of Brexit in terms of the connections but also culturally, educationally and economically. I was in Paris in August. I was launching a Gaelic games activity in the context of the Olympics. There is a spread of Gaelic games in France, in Normandy and Brittany and so on, and it is the French citizens who are leading the charge. It is not expats or the Irish living there, although some of them are doing it too. A number of French communities are enthused and it is in the schools in the area. Of course the education research links are very strong. The interconnector is going ahead and we would like a second interconnector between Ireland and France. There is also the British and Irish Film Festival, which is held in Dinard and which was on last week. There is lots going on and I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In recent times France has appointed a number of honorary consuls across the regions of Ireland, including one in Wexford. Does the Tánaiste have any plans to appoint honorary French consuls to represent Ireland in the regions of France to deepen that new connectivity?

Nick Thomas-Symonds is the British Cabinet Office minister who last week briefed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs on the potential for the next round review of the post-Brexit trade arrangements between UK and the EU.

They are approaching that with a very positive attitude, with the participation of France. Obviously, it will be a direct negotiation between the Commission, the Council and the British Prime Minister. Having someone as experienced as the French Prime Minister might be a help in improving the wrinkles that have yet to be ironed out in the trade arrangements.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On that latter point, I met with Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds. He is very much on top of his brief early on. Ireland stands ready to facilitate the warmest of relations between the United Kingdom and the EU because that is also of benefit to Ireland and to Europe. We will continue to be supportive of sensible and intelligent reviews of existing trade agreements between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

As I said earlier, the idea of the honorary consuls is not a bad one. I will review that and go back to my Department on it. As the Deputy knows, we recently opened a new consulate in Lyons, which is a major diplomatic initiative.

On education, the dual qualifications from Irish and French institutions has grown from 45 to 60 since 2021. France is Ireland's seventh largest export market and our third highest source of imports. In November 2022, when I was Taoiseach, I met with President Macron in Paris. An integrated sail-rail ticket idea between French and Irish cities was announced. The idea being that, for the young people of France and Ireland, an integrated sail and rail ticket would really power the dynamic interaction between our young people.