merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny greeted the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper, at Farmleigh this afternoon. Prime Minister Harper was in Dublin in advance of his attendance at the G8 meeting in Enniskillen tomorrow.

The visit highlights the very close ties between Ireland and Canada and the importance the Government attaches to strengthening that relationship.

Prime Minister Harper was greeted at Dublin Airport by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

The Government has designated Canada as one of its priority growth markets and exports have been rising steadily, reaching €780 million in 2012. Canada currently attracts 25% of all Irish investment abroad and around 60 Irish businesses have a presence in Canada, employing over 6,000 people there. The Government is committed to further building these business-to-business links.