Mayo TD makes history on his St. Patrick's Day travels

Minister of State Alan Dillion TD has begun a seven-day official visit to Mexico and Guatemala, as the first Irish Government Minister to visit Guatemala. 

Minister Dillion is set to meet the President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, along with senior Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Economy, and Agriculture.

Speaking at the beginning of the visit, Minister Dillion said, 

“This visit is about strengthening Ireland’s relationships across Central and Latin America and building new partnerships in trade, investment, and diplomacy. 

“Ireland is a small country with a global outlook. By strengthening connections with countries like Guatemala and Mexico, we are creating opportunities for Irish businesses, supporting jobs at home, and deepening our international partnerships.”

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The Minister will attend a St. Patrick’s Day reception with members of the Irish community, the diplomatic corps, and senior government representatives. 

Minister Dillion will then travel to Mexico City, where he will meet with the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade (COMCE) and representatives involved in preparations for the FIFA World Cup.

Additionally, he will also meet with  Irish and Enterprise Ireland-supported companies operating in Mexico, including Stripe, Smurfit Westrock, Portwest, ICON, etc Bimeda, BioAtlantis, WaterWipes, and University College Cork.

Minister Dillon added, “Irish companies are making a real impact globally. I look forward to meeting businesses operating in Mexico and supporting their continued growth in these important markets in Latin and Central America.” 

“St Patrick’s Day is also a moment to celebrate Ireland’s culture and strengthen connections with our diaspora and international partners,” concluded Minister Dillon.