Governor meets with Ireland’s Prime Minister, holds bilateral talks with education, fisheries, and maritime officials
Dublin, IRELAND – Continuing her multi-day mission to Ireland, Governor Janet Mills yesterday met with Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin and other top government leaders during a productive day in Dublin.
The Governor brought greetings from Maine to Prime Minister Martin at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Irish American Partnership, a Boston-based charitable organization which raises funds for youth initiatives in Ireland. The Governor also spoke with respected former Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, co-signer of the historic 1998 Good Friday Agreement. The Governor attended the dinner as the guest of Irish Senate President Mark Daly.
“I was deeply honored to bring greetings on behalf of the people of Maine — of whom one in six has Irish ancestry — to Ireland’s top leaders, and to discuss ways our state can partner with Ireland in the years to come,” said Governor Janet Mills. “From fisheries to higher education and rural health innovation, there’s no shortage of opportunities for Maine and Ireland to work together and learn from each other. As the only native English-speaking country in the European Union, this partnership offers tremendous opportunities for Maine businesses and higher education institutions looking to expand their reach into Europe.”
During the dinner, the Governor also spoke about strengthening ties between Maine and Ireland with dignitaries and business leaders including former Boston Mayor and U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin, and former Irish Ambassador to the U.S. Daniel Mulhall, and World Trade Centre Dublin President and University of Maine graduate Maureen Pace.
Earlier at Leinster House (the home of Ireland’s parliament), Governor Mills participated in a bilateral discussion with Teachta Dála (Representative) Conor McGuinness, Chair of the Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, to discuss opportunities for collaboration between Maine and Ireland’s ocean economies. While at Leinster House, the Governor also met with Senator Daly and Teachta Dála and former Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul McAuliffe.
The discussions followed a Monday evening bilateral meeting with James Lawless, Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Governor Mills and Minister Lawless discussed opportunities for Maine and Ireland to collaborate in higher education and medical research and innovation.
As a result of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, Ireland has emerged as North America’s economic gateway to Europe. Recognizing the realignment and its impact on Maine businesses, Governor Mills signed legislation in 2023 creating the Maine-Island of Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade opportunities between Maine and Ireland. Ireland currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Earlier this week, the Governor attended Blue Ambition 2026, a global gathering of policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers focused on innovation, investment, and growth in the blue bioeconomy. The Governor highlighted Maine as a great place for investment during afternoon remarks, met with economic and government leaders from across the world, and discussed opportunities for trade and collaboration during a bilateral meeting with Irish Agriculture, Food, and Marine Minister Timmy Dooley.
The Governor also participated in a bilateral meeting with Senator Mark Daly, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Éireann (President of the Irish Senate). In 2021, Senator Daly launched the American Irish State Legislatures Caucus, a bipartisan network of current and former legislators in the United States and Ireland. Senator Daly visited the Maine State House in 2024 as part of his extensive travels across the United States.
The Governor’s Office will release additional updates and photos from the Governor’s trip in the coming days. The Governor will return to Maine later this week.