The relationship between Wales and Ireland is deeply rooted, meaningful and dynamic, and is recognised as the Welsh Government’s most developed strategic international relationship with another country.
This St. Patrick’s Day, the Senedd’s International Relations Committee has published its final report of the Sixth Senedd, setting out key recommendations for how this important partnership should continue to be strengthened in the years ahead.
The report builds on the Committee’s 2023 inquiry and considers developments since the renewal of the Shared Statement 2030 – the formal cooperation agreement between the Welsh and Irish Governments, setting out a joint framework for collaboration to the end of the decade.
Delyth Jewell MS, Chair of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee, said:
“As this Senedd draws to a close, we are calling for Wales–Ireland relations to remain a clear priority for the next Welsh Government. Our work has shown how valued and vibrant the connections between our nations are, with opportunities for deeper cooperation in areas such as culture, language, youth exchange, energy, and research.
“We are urging the Government to recommit to the Shared Statement 2030, to raise the profile of Wales’s cultural and creative links with the EU, to involve stakeholders more meaningfully, and to ensure that funding keeps pace with the ambition needed to support this relationship.
“Our appeal to a future Senedd committee is to continue this work, so that the Wales–Ireland relationship retains its special status and the progress made over recent years is not lost.”
Committee recommendations
The Committee makes five recommendations to support the future of Wales–Ireland cooperation:
- Wales–Ireland relations should remain a priority for the next Welsh Government, with a recommitment to the Shared Statement 2030.
- The profile of the new relationship with the EU should be raised, especially in cultural and creative sectors, including joint solutions on touring artists and participation in EU programmes.
- Stakeholders should be given meaningful opportunities to contribute to the delivery of the Shared Statement 2030.
- Annual funding must be sufficient and consistent to support Wales–Ireland cooperation and deliver the Shared Statement.
- A future Senedd committee should continue work on Wales–Ireland relations to ensure the relationship retains its special status and recommendations are implemented.
