Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee speaking to the press as she arrives to the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels last week. (Videograb: European Council)Simon Harris’s 10-month term as Minister for Foreign Affairs was dominated by two international challenges: Donald Trump’s tariff diplomacy and the war in Gaza. And as Israel’s assault on Gaza continued, more European Union member-states moved towards Ireland’s position on Palestinian statehood. Recent years have seen a dramatic expansion of Ireland’s global diplomatic footprint and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade now has almost 3500 staff working in more than 100 locations around the world. These strategies expire in 2025 and the Government is planning to develop a new one called Global Ireland 2040, along with regional strategies for the next 15 years.

Source: The Irish Times November 25, 2025 01:13 UTC