Canadian PM to be ‘welcomed home’ to Ireland

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will begin a two-day visit to Ireland on Saturday.

Carney, accompanied by his wife Diana Fox Carney, will carry out a series of engagements in Dublin city and Co Mayo in the west of Ireland.

Carney is the grandson of Irish emigrants who were born in Mayo and left the country more than 100 years ago for Canada.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I will be honoured to welcome Prime Minister Carney and his wife to Ireland. It will be an excellent occasion to celebrate and strengthen the bilateral relationship between Ireland and Canada.

“The strategic economic partnership we are due to sign on this visit will map the various strands in our relationship and how we can enhance these in the years ahead.

“With such strong Irish heritage, it will also be an opportunity for Prime Minister Carney to celebrate and explore his Irish heritage, and I know Mayo is looking forward to welcoming him home.”

Ireland’s Government has hailed the visit as a “significant milestone” in relations between the two countries.

It said Ireland and Canada enjoy deep historical ties, with 4.4 million Canadians — over 12 per cent of the population — claiming Irish heritage.

The Government also says Canada contributed to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.

Carney will meet Martin on Saturday when they will announce a new “bilateral co-operation framework” on trade and investment, life sciences, research and innovation, and security and defence.

Canadian investment in Ireland has increased by 131 per cent since 2016 while Ireland is now Canada’s eighth largest foreign investor.

The visit also comes after the Oireachtas passed the Arbitration Amendment Act, which enables Ireland to proceed to ratify the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (Ceta) once the legislation is signed by the President.

The visit will include an official dinner at Dublin Castle.