Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland and Iran maintain diplomatic relations. As I have indicated to the Dáil, there are many problems in relations with Iran, but we have always maintained an open dialogue with the Iranian authorities on these issues. As an important state in the Middle East, Iran has significant influence across multiple policy areas. We would hope that Iran would use that influence in a positive manner.

I had a number of conversations in recent months with the late Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, who was killed in an accident on 19 May. We discussed issues connected with the conflict in Gaza, and also tensions and risks of escalation in the wider region. At official level, my Department is in regular contact with the Iranian Embassy here in Dublin. Officials of my Department travelled to Tehran in May 2023 for political consultations on a wide range of current issues. My Department will host a further round of consultations in the near future.

Our engagement with Iran has been enhanced by the reopening of Ireland's Embassy in Tehran. The Embassy is now in operation, in space helpfully provided by the Embassy of Germany. I am awaiting the agrément of the Iranian Government to appoint the Irish Ambassador, which I hope to be able to do soon, and subject to practical issues we plan to open the new Embassy premises early next year.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Protests and demonstrations, linked to political status and governance issues, led to an outbreak of violence and unrest on the island of New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the South Pacific, on 13 May. Since the outbreak of violence, six people have sadly lost their lives and the island is currently under a state of emergency, with the international airport closed. President Macron visited the island on 23 May for discussions, accompanied by Interior Minister Darmanin.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, via Ireland’s embassies in Paris, Wellington and Canberra, are providing consular assistance to Irish citizens in New Caledonia. The Embassy has been notified of eight Irish citizens in New Caledonia since 14 May. Of the eight, one was able to leave on 21 May while consular assistance is being extended to those of the remaining seven citizens who have requested it.

The Department has been proactive in promoting awareness of the situation; travel advice for New Caledonia has been updated on a regular basis since the start of the crisis with information on airport closures a particular focus. As of Wednesday 22 May, while the situation in New Caledonia has calmed, the territory remains in a state of emergency. There is no confirmation as to when commercial flights will resume from La Tontouta International Airport. Flights chartered by France are scheduled to bring tourists out of New Caledonia over the coming days.

Our Embassy in Paris is in close contact with the French authorities to facilitate the departure, at the earliest opportunity, of those Irish citizens seeking to leave New Caledonia. The Embassy in Paris also remains in contact with the French High Commission in New Caledonia, as well as with the French Interior and Foreign Ministries. Given the geographical location of New Caledonia, the Irish Embassies in Wellington and Canberra are also monitoring events closely and liaising with interlocutors on this matter.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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91. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his Department's engagements and general relations between Ireland and Georgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23953/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 91 together.

My EU colleagues and I regularly engage with our Georgian counterparts on a range of issues, including bilateral relations, Georgia’s EU membership perspective and, more recently, our concerns regarding increased democratic backsliding in the country.

The Georgian Foreign Minister, Ilia Darchiashivili, visited Dublin on 13-16 September last. I hosted a working lunch for the Minister on 14 September, and we discussed issues of common interest and concern. Our meeting was primarily focused on Georgia’s EU membership aspirations. We also signed a Memorandum of Understanding enhancing Georgia-Ireland relations across a range of areas.

I reaffirmed to Minister Darchiashvili that the European Union is a union of values, and emphasised that the best way to secure Georgia’s progress towards EU membership is by demonstrating genuine commitment to European values and to the human rights of all citizens.

Foreign Minister Darchiashvili also had meetings with the Minister of State for European Affairs, Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, as well as with parliamentarians.

The Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister, Teimuraz Janjalia, subsequently visited Dublin on 5-6 December. He had meetings with Minister of State for European Affairs Peter Burke, and met separately with parliamentarians. The focus of the visit was on Georgia’s progress towards EU accession. A Georgian parliamentary delegation also visited Dublin in December to discuss diaspora issues with Minister of State Fleming.

Senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs travelled to Tblisi in January this year for comprehensive bilateral political consultations, led by the Deputy Foreign Minister, Teimuraz Janjalia on the Georgian side, with a focus on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as Georgia’s EU membership aspirations.

Ireland will continue to engage with Georgian counterparts, particularly to emphasize that EU accession is a merit-based process, and to highlight our concerns regarding democratic backsliding. The adoption of legislation on the “transparency of foreign influence” by the Georgian parliament, in the face of strong international criticism, and the disproportionate use of force against those protesting the legislation, are not in line with fundamental EU values and norms. I have made this clear in my public statements and we continue to urge the Georgian government to withdraw the legislation.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland enjoys warm bilateral relations with Moldova, and I and my colleagues in Government regularly engage with our Moldovan counterparts on issues of importance.

In December, Ireland supported the European Council decision to open accession negotiations with Moldova, with the negotiating framework to be adopted once Moldova had met certain key outstanding requirements. This was in recognition of the significant progress that Moldova has made in implementing the required reforms.

I reiterated this support when I met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Moldova Mihail Popsoi in February at the Munich Security Conference. I spoke of the transformational effect EU membership has had on Ireland and my wish for the Moldovan people to share in a similar transformation.

The Taoiseach met with Prime Minister Dorin Recean in January at Davos, and further emphasised Ireland’s support for Moldova, particularly in the context of the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Moldova.

Then Minister of State for European Affairs, Peter Burke TD, attended the 4th meeting of the Moldova Support Platform in Chisinau on 17 October 2023, where he announced €2 million in funding for Moldova, to be channelled through a World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund. This followed an earlier commitment in December 2022 of €5M to the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Moldova. Minister Burke also had a series of bilateral engagements, including with then Moldovan State Secretary for EU Affairs Stela Leuca, with whom he discussed Moldova’s progress towards EU accession.

Minister Carroll MacNeill also recently met with Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov in the margins of the April General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, and discussed Ireland’s support for Moldova’s European membership aspirations and ongoing reform process.

The recent Government decision to open a resident Embassy in Chisinau is a sign of our deepening bilateral ties, and a signal of Ireland’s support to Moldova, particularly in the context of Moldova seeking EU membership.

Ireland will continue to engage with the Government of Moldova in the context of its EU accession process, the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and on issues of bilateral importance.