Canada prime minister Mark Carney says he feels at 'home' on visit to Ireland

LAST UPDATE | 10 hrs ago

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER Mark Carney is visiting Ireland today, which he said felt like coming “home”.

Carney, who has Irish grandparents, is accompanied by his wife Diana Fox Carney for the two-day trip which will see him take part in engagements in Dublin city centre and Co Mayo.

They were greeted by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary Martin.

Canadian ambassador to Ireland Dennis King and his wife Jana Hemphill was also present, as well as Irish ambassador to Canada John Concannon and his wife Mary Concannon.

The Carneys will be taken to Farmleigh House, where they will be guests.

Carney has described his visit to Ireland as a return “home”.

The Canada prime minister and Taoiseach meanwhile have had a one-on-one engagement.

At a press conference following this, Carney and Martin announced a new “bilateral co-operation framework” on trade and investment, life sciences, research and innovation, and security and defence.

Martin said Ireland was welcoming the prime minister “home”.

He added: “I know I speak for the people of Mayo, and indeed for the Irish people more broadly, when I say that we are deeply honoured to welcome him back.”

Carney responded: “Micheál, thank you for welcoming me back home.

“It is a true pleasure to return to Dublin, and an honour to be the first Canadian prime minister in a decade to be making an official visit here.”

Carney had earlier signed a guest book in Martin’s office, writing:

“In deep appreciation for your leadership and that of Ireland towards a deeper relationship between our countries based on our shared history, common valued and bold ambitions.”

Carney is the grandson of Irish emigrants who were born in Mayo and left the country more than 100 years ago for Canada.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Martin said it will be an “excellent occasion to celebrate and strengthen the bilateral relationship between Ireland and Canada”.

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He added: “The strategic economic partnership we are due to sign on this visit will map the various strands in our relationship and how we can enhance these in the years ahead.

“With such strong Irish heritage, it will also be an opportunity for Prime Minister Carney to celebrate and explore his Irish heritage, and I know Mayo is looking forward to welcoming him home.”

Ireland’s government has hailed the visit as a “significant milestone” in relations between the two countries.

It said Ireland and Canada enjoy deep historical ties, with 4.4 million Canadians – more than 12% of the population – claiming Irish heritage.

The government also says Canada contributed to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.

Canadian investment in Ireland has increased by 131% since 2016 while Ireland is now Canada’s eighth largest foreign investor.

The visit also comes after the Oireachtas passed the Arbitration Amendment Act, which enables Ireland to proceed to ratify the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (Ceta) once the legislation is signed by the President.

Saturday’s itinerary includes a visit to Trinity College Dublin and an official dinner at Dublin Castle.

Carney will travel to Mayo on Sunday to meet with President Catherine Connolly.

Kenneally report

Meanwhile, speaking at the press conference alongside Carney, Martin said that Fianna Fáil is not implicated “at all” in a report into the abuses of paedophile Bill Kenneally.

Abuse survivors have levelled criticism at both Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and the wider Fianna Fáil party.

Some of the victims pointed out that elected Fianna Fáil representatives had information of the abuse.

A report published earlier this week states that Bill Kenneally’s uncle Billy Kenneally Snr knew in late 1987 that his nephew had sexually abused at least one child.

It adds that Brendan Kenneally, the son of Billy Kenneally Snr, knew in 2001 Kenneally seriously sexually abused two boys in the 80s and 90s. Both had been TDs and Senators for Fianna Fáil.

Asked on Saturday if the party had failed to handle the matter correctly, Martin said his party was not implicated as an organisation but said individuals were “wrong” in how they addressed the matter.

He added that there was “no evidence whatsoever” of any conspiracy or “attempt to cover-up”.

Not taking an opportunity to apologise on behalf of the party when asked, he added: “The report doesn’t implicate the Fianna Fáil party at all as an organisation, and in fact makes the point that the Fianna Fáil party was not advised even locally or in any shape or form by any individual.

“The two former public representatives involved did wrong in the manner in which they addressed the issue, no question about that.

“And because of the central conclusion of the Commission of Investigation to the effect that State agencies effectively failed the victims in terms of not dealing with this robustly and properly at the time, the Government will be considering an apology, and any further actions.”