On behalf of the Government, the Minister for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D., this morning welcomed the Irish Caucus from the California State Legislature to Dublin. Over an hour-long meeting, the Minister discussed the strong and growing Ireland-California relationship, and briefed the group on issues of Irish-US interest, including Ireland’s position on Brexit.
Welcoming the eleven Sacramento-based legislators, who represent districts all over the State of California, the Minister said;
This third visit to Ireland in as many years by the California State Legislature is very welcome. Ireland-US political level engagement is vital, as set out in the Government’s new Strategy for the US, and it comes at a time when we are investing in our presence and engagement in California, including with the opening of a new Consulate in Los Angeles in the coming months.
The age-old Ireland-California relationship continues to grow and develop, not least in economic terms: California is Ireland’s largest trade and investment partner in the US and the top exporting U.S. State to Ireland, accounting for over 14.4% of all USA exports into Ireland in 2017 with a total value of over US$1.5 billion.
This is very much a reciprocal relationship: indigenous Irish headquartered companies provide approximately 10,000 jobs in California across 203 locations in the State; California headquartered companies provide approximately 40,000 jobs in Ireland.
The Irish government is ambitious for the continued growth of the relationship, underpinned as it is by long history, strong people-to-people links, deep cultural understanding, and ongoing exchanges facilitated by two direct flights daily.
Note for Editors:
The Irish Caucus in the California State Legislature are on the island of Ireland for a five-day visit covering four cities – Belfast, Dublin, Limerick and Cork, for a programme that will focus on peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, economic developments, Brexit, innovation in the regions and will also include parliamentary engagement.
The California Legislative Irish Caucus was founded in 2016 by Co-Chair, Assembly member Bill Brough. The Caucus is a bipartisan group with approximately thirty-five members drawn from both the Assembly and the State Senate. The objective of the Caucus is to foster the cultural, political and economic ties between California and Ireland. The Caucus are accompanied on their Irish visit by a large business delegation, many of whom represent companies with Irish interests or an Irish presence.
The Government’s Strategy for the US and Canada which emphasises the importance of political engagement and partnerships is available here.