PM Carney in Ireland drumming up trade, visiting ancestral home

Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Dublin Saturday morning to meet with Irish leaders and drum up business and investment with European peers. Carney will meet with Micheál Martin, Ireland's head of government, and attend a welcoming ceremony at Dublin Castle. The leaders plan to hold a joint media availability in the afternoon and Carney will participate in a discussion on transatlantic ties between Canada and Europe.

In the evening, Carney will deliver remarks at an official dinner hosted by Martin. The visit is strategic for Canada as Ireland assumes the presidency of the Council of the European Union in July and continues advancing Canada's ties with Europe on defence, security, energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.

Carleton University's Fen Osler Hampson noted the timing helps Canada have Ireland in its corner as it seeks to deepen European relations. A key issue is the CETA trade deal between Canada and the EU, which has been provisionally in effect since 2017 but still awaits full ratification by Ireland and nine other countries.

At their September meeting in Ottawa, Martin said Ireland would ratify the deal, and leaders agreed on the importance of full ratification by 2026. Deirdre Giblin, head of the Ireland Canada Business Association, said Ireland is likely to fully ratify CETA two to three weeks after Carney's visit, as the government's reform of its arbitration law is wrapping up. The deal could help both countries boost exports — Canada in financial and air transportation services, Ireland in computer services and financial services.