PM Bettel Meets Irish President, Taoiseach, Tanaiste

Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, and the Minister of Finance, Yuriko Backes, are on an official visit to Dublin, Ireland, accompanied by an Official Delegation and a Trade Delegation.

On the second day of the visit, Tuesday 13 June 2023, Prime Minister Bettel had a busy schedule, including meeting the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, the Taoiseach (Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar) and the Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister, Michael Martin, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence).

Before those official meetings, however, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister first participated in separate site visits, along with sectors of the Trade Delegation. While Minister Backes participated in a site visit to Dublin Port as part of the Maritime and Logistics programme, Prime Minister Bettel went to the Dogpatch Lab which was the site visit for the Digital Economy programme.

Dogpatch Lab

At the Dogpatch Lab on the Custom House Quay (the building is understood to formerly have been a tobacco warehouse), Prime Minister Bettel was welcomed by Ireland's Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary, and the Head of Events and Operations at Dogparch Lab, Isoline Marchand. Then were then taken on a guided visit, first through the EPIC museum (on Irish Emigration) and then of the Dogpatch Lab facility (startup accelerator, incubator) by Lizzy Hayashida, Director of Community & Ecosystem.

They were then treated to a presentation on the 2050 Sustainability Accelerator, one aim of which is to attract leading innovators / global talent to Ireland. It is one of 120 sustainability accelerators throughout Europe. They currently host 12 (international) startups of which a quarter have female founders; Dogpatch offers them three weeks (residency), introducing them to corporate partners, etc., after which they hope they have seen enough to stay. A couple of startups also made brief presentations (one on wellbeing, coaching, counselling and therapy, from Iceland; and another on bridging centralised finance by creating a blockchain-based marketplace), with both having links with Luxembourg (research with LUNEX; financial structures). In a brief Q&A session, one of the challenges / down-sides is ensuring staff can find somewhere to live due to the housing crisis. This then raised the issue of teleworking which prompted a debate, with one presenter stating "having people fully remote is not great", with both presenters saying that they have to be flexible yet having people in the office together (normally Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays) is very beneficial; on the other hand, some people are much more productive working at home.

Aras an Uachtarain

The official delecation them made its way to Phoenix Park on the north side of the city where Prime Minister Bettel was received by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, at his official residence, the Aras an Uachtarain (President's building) for an official meeting. Prime Minister Bettel signed the distinguished visitor's book, mentioning that it is the 50th anniversary of Ireland joining the EU and the 62nd anniversary of diplomatic relations starting between the two countries. Informally they discussed the learning and speaking of Irish on a daily basis, before having a private meeting.

An Tanaiste, Finance Ministers

Prime Minister Bettel then had a working lunch with the Tanaiste, Michael Martin. Meanwhile, Minister Backes met her counterpart, the Irish Minister of Finance, Michael McGrath, before meeting with Paschal Donohoe, Ireland's Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (he is also President of the Eurogroup).

Luxembourg Award

At the side of the Ireland-Luxembourg Business Forum, Prime Minister Bettel conferred the honorary decoration of "Officier de l'Ordre de la Couronne de Chene" to Noel Kierans, former Honorary Consul of Luxembourg.

An Taoiseach

Prime Minister Bettel then travelled to Government Buildings for a working meeting with An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, and signed the distinguished visitors' book at the Taoiseach's office. Following a private meeting, the two leaders met together with colleagues before holding a joint press conference on the steps of Government Buildings.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stated that Prime Minister Bettel has been a very good friend of the country. He said the two countries have excellent bilateral relations and referenced the opening of the Luxembourg embassy in Dublin. He mentioned that meeting today enabled them to discuss major issues in more detail than when meeting at EU meetings. He referenced Ukraine and the recent humanitarian response to the catastrophic breaking of the dam. He said that he had briefed Prime Minister Bettel about Ireland's security policy and mentioned that Ireland is neutral. He addressed the EU's single market and its 30th anniversary. He especially thanked Luxembourg for its solidarity throughout Brexit and added that while Ireland is not applying for NATO membership, it will be increasing defence spending.

Prime Minister Bettel stated referenced his learning English in Malahide when a student, thanking Ireland for that. He talked about the two countries sharing the same values, with economy and finance one thing, and human respect and the rule of law another thing. He referenced Irish nationals living in Luxembourg, and Luxembourg nationals living in Ireland, as well as the opening of the new Luxembourgish embassy. He praised the business forum for being a step forward in digital and logistics areas and thanked the Taoiseach for his friendship and leadership.

In response to a question from Chronicle.lu, "Both countries' governments are coalitions with parties of similar sizes which appear to be working well. Is this the way forward in national politics?", Prime Minister Bettel mentioned Luxembourg having three parties in a government coalition in Luxembourg, also in countries such as Germany which currently has three. He stated that there are more parties entering politics, therefore leading to more compromise.

An Taoiseach responded by stating that politics is becoming increasingly fragmented and called out the political systems in countries such as the US and the UK which do not have proportional representation. He said that the evidence from Luxembourg is that three party coalition governments can work.

And in response a question on housing solution, a challenge facing both countries, Prime Minister Bettel stated both countries have growing economies and more people arriving in both countries, referencing the support of local authorities that is needed to implement housing projects.

An Taoiseach acknowledged an accommodation challenge and housing shortage in both countries, with Ireland planning to supply new homes soon.

Luxembourg National Day Reception

Luxembourg hosted a National Day Reception at the Royal Irish Academy, just a few hundred metres' walk from Government Buildings, with around 250 guests in attendance.

At the start of the reception, the two national anthems, as well as Beethoven's 9th symphony, were performed by Sarah Brazil on violin and Adam Joyce on cello, garnering loud applause and cheers from those invited.

Ambassador Ensch welcomed everyone to the reception, stating that "today we are bringing the bilateral partnership to a new level."

Prime Minister Bettel stated that the playing of the EU anthem was very appropriate. He referenced again the opening of the Luxembourgish embassy as well as his learning English as a student in Malahide (just outside Dublin) around 30 years ago. He referenced Ireland celebrating St Patrick’s Day abroad annually and he wanted to do something similar for Luxembourg. He mentioned the war in Ukraine and referenced Americans and other allies coming to liberate Luxembourg in the past. He talked about positive exchanges with the Irish president, prime minister and deputy prime minister earlier today, as well as about the strength of countries being different within the EU. He concluded by saying “Even if we’re not in the same political party, he’s a cool guy” which raised a laugh. He thanked an Taoiseach for keeping peace which we cannot take for granted.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar then thanked Ambassador Ensch for her invitation and also welcomed representatives of the defence forces who served in Mali alongside Luxembourg troops. He said that Ireland celebrates 50 years of membership of the EU this year, with Luxembourg being a founding member. He said Ireland and Luxembourg are working together on many issues. He mentioned that St Willibrord, born in England but who trained in Co. Carlow, is buried in Echternach. Diplomatic relations between the two countries started in 1961.

The guests enjoyed a reception of Luxembourgish crémant , wine and finger food.

Later that evening, the Samuel Beckett Bridge (five bridges downstream from O'Connell Bridge and the second last bridge before the River Liffey enters the Irish Sea) was illuminated in red, white and blue to mark the Luxembourg National Day and the visit of Prime Minister Bettel and the official delegation from the Grand Duchy.

This ended the most part of the official and trade missions to Ireland, with flights back to Grand Duchy the following morning.