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Ireland-Germany Relations of Vital Importance: Tánaiste Simon Coveney asks for Comprehensive Review

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Simon Coveney TD, has announced that, in view of the vital importance of Ireland’s relations with Germany, he has asked the Ambassador in Berlin, Michael Collins, to undertake a comprehensive Review over the coming period.

The Tánaiste said that Brexit had brought into sharp focus the necessity to ensure that our bilateral and EU relationships are assessed and reviewed on an ongoing basis so that they can continue effectively to advance our interests and our goals. Germany, which is a vitally important export market, inward investor and source of tourism for Ireland is a key priority in this respect (see below). Over the last year, and in response to the Brexit referendum decision, extra staffing has already been provided to strengthen the Embassy in Berlin but the Tánaiste said that it was now appropriate to look beyond this and to reflect on the further steps that can be taken to enhance our presence and engagement in Germany.

The Tánaiste said:

“Our relations with Germany are vital to us and all the more so in the context of Brexit. Now, therefore, is a good time to take a close look at our work in Germany to build our relationship for a new era and to ensure that we are in a position to vigorously advance our interests and our goals.


The aim of this Comprehensive Review is to further strengthen our relationship, both bilaterally and in the context of our common membership of the EU.


In undertaking this Comprehensive Review, Ambassador Collins and our Embassy in Berlin will consult and engage over the coming weeks with contacts across the political, economic, cultural and community spectrum."



Note for Editors:

Germany today is:

  • Ireland's 4th largest merchandise trade partner (Total bilateral trade of approximately €25b).
  • Our 2nd largest inward investor (92 German companies in IDA’s client portfolio employing over 12,100 people in their operations in Ireland).
  • Our 3rd largest source of tourism (over 650,000 Germans visited Ireland in 2016).
  • Our 4th largest export market for indigenous goods and services (approaching the €1b mark this year).
  • Our 6th most important market for food exports (€600 million in exports, 2016).
  • A country with which we enjoy a massive trade surplus (exceeded only by China and Vietnam).
  • A key European market of focus for our State Agencies for market diversification post-Brexit.