Micheál Martin: Macron meeting - Energy link 2028 and archives
Micheál Martin met President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the France-Ireland bilateral relationship, priorities for the Irish Presidency and international security concerns, including the Middle East. The meeting covered trade, a planned energy interconnector due in 2028, cultural links and the digitalisation of Irish archives in France.
Bilateral and economic ties
Micheál Martin stressed the strength of the France-Ireland relationship, noting roughly 45 billion euro in trade between the two countries. He framed the meeting with President Macron as an opportunity to consolidate economic cooperation ahead of the Irish Presidency.
Energy connection and infrastructure
Martin confirmed that the first France-Ireland energy interconnector will be completed in 2028 and said discussions will continue about a possible second interconnector. The project was presented as a tangible delivery for energy security and deeper integration between the two markets.
International security and the Middle East
The leaders discussed the situation across the Middle East, including Iran, Hormuz, Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, and addressed concerns about Israel's behaviour in relation to the flotilla. Martin emphasised these regional matters as part of the broader diplomatic agenda discussed in the meeting.
Culture, heritage and archives
Martin announced plans to digitise archives relating to Irish people in France, highlighting cultural links and historical cooperation. He also described viewing handwritten letters from Wolfe Tone in the French military archives in Vincennes as a poignant reminder of shared history and obligations.
Outlook
Micheál Martin framed the meeting as both a reaffirmation of strong bilateral ties and a forward-looking plan of action for the Irish Presidency, combining practical infrastructure commitments with cultural and diplomatic priorities.
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We had a very comprehensive meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, covering the bilateral relationship between Ireland and France, also the Irish Presidency and the issues that will be covered and dealt with and hopefully delivered during the Irish Presidency, so we discussed and explored those issues with the President. We discussed the Middle East situation in Iran, Hormuz, Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, and the situation in Israel's behaviour in respect of the flotilla. On the bilateral side, we have a very strong position now in terms of both the economic relationship, about 45 billion in trade now between France and Ireland, it's very significant. The interconnector will be completed in 2028, that's the first energy connection between France and Ireland. We will explore the possibility of a second interconnector in due course. We also have strong cultural linkage today, later I'll be announcing the digitalisation of archives pertaining to Irish people in France, and fascinatingly at the end of the lunch she showed me records from the French military archives in Vincennes to do with Wolfe Tone, and these are handwritten letters from Wolfe Tone prior to his death pleading with the French authorities as a French soldier to look after his wife and family. Very poignant, very moving.
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