First Minister to discuss cost-of-living crisis and renewable energy at Wales-Ireland Forum

The two-day event in Dublin and Cork will include discussions on the cost-of-living crisis with Ministers sharing their approaches to supporting people during this challenging time. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Climate change and renewable energy will also feature prominently in the talks. Offshore wind is seen by both governments as a significant opportunity to improve energy security. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Discussions will also centre around ports and border control as the Welsh Government works to find practical solutions to the many challenges presented by Brexit. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The Wales-Ireland Forum will be an opportunity to continue to raise the profile of Wales with business leaders, academics and cultural partners in Ireland, and to re-affirm Wales’ commitment to further collaborate on programmes and projects. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething and Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths will play a key part in discussions alongside Irish Government representatives Minister Heather Humphreys, Minister Michael McGrath and Minister Dara Calleary. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In March 2021, the Irish and Welsh governments signed a Shared Statement and Joint Action Plan committing both administrations to strengthening the political and economic ties between the two countries. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“I am delighted to travel to Ireland to co-chair the second Ireland-Wales Forum, building on the success of the inaugural forum in Wales last year. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This provides the platform to continue to strengthen our relationship and deliver against the Shared Statement and Joint Action Plan Minister Coveney and I launched in March last year. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“I am pleased to be joined by the Economy Minister and the Minister for Rural Affairs and have the opportunity to visit Dublin and Cork, meeting people working collaboratively on projects in a number of sectors across Ireland and Wales”. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​