Visit to France by Taoiseach Enda Kenny

The Taoiseach today begins a two-day visit to France where he will meet with President François Hollande, and with leading Irish and French business people in both Paris and Lyon.

On Thursday afternoon, the Taoiseach will meet with President Hollande at the Elysée Palace in Paris. In addition to reviewing the excellent bilateral relationship, the Taoiseach and the President are expected to exchange views on key EU and international issues, notably EMU, migration and climate change ahead of the COP21 Summit which will be hosted by France later this year.

In April Prime Minister Valls met the Taoiseach in Dublin, and in February, the French European Minister, Harlem Désir, visited Cork and explored options for developing renewable energy partnerships.

The Taoiseach’s visit to France has a strong trade focus. He will witness the signing of a number of new contracts between Irish companies and their French partners. The Taoiseach will meet with local business leaders and politicians about Ireland’s growing interests in France and particularly in the vibrant Rhône Alpes region, of which Lyon is the capital, as well as discussing Ireland’s economic recovery.

There are currently 60 Irish companies with a presence in France, employing over 10,000 people. Total trade between France and Ireland is worth just over €15 billion each year, and France is currently Ireland’s second largest global market for food & drinks and also Ireland’s fourth largest inward tourism market.