Germany–Ireland relations

Germany—Ireland relations

Germany	Ireland

German–Ireland relations are the relations between Germany and the Republic of Ireland. Both countries are members of the European Union. Relations between the two countries have described, in 2011 by Ruairí Quinn, then Irish Minister for Education: "Ireland and Germany have enjoyed an excellent long-standing political and economic relationship, and culture, mutual trust and common values have always been at the core of our relations", going to on add further that "When the first hydro-electric Shannon scheme was established, it was a very deliberate decision, a very cultural assertion of separation from London, to invite Siemens to provide technical assistance."^[1]

Overview

Irish Ambassador William Warnock with the German Foreign Ministry official Dr. Heß, after signing a trade agreement in 1961

• As Ireland was neutral during World War II, it was able to maintain diplomatic relations with Germany throughout the war. Nonetheless, at least one Irish merchant vessel was destroyed by a German submarine
• Germany has an embassy in Dublin and 2 honorary consulates (in Cork and Galway).^[2]
• Ireland has an embassy in Berlin and 4 honorary consulates (in Bergisch Gladbach, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, and Munich).^[3]
• Both countries are full members of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
• Germany is one of Ireland’s biggest trading partners, ranking third in 2014 with an approximately eight per cent share of Ireland’s total foreign trade.
• There are approximately 11,305 Germans living in Ireland.^[4]

References