31 July 2015 – Philippine non-resident Ambassador to Ireland Enrique A. Manalo visited Dublin from July 12 to 14. His visit was in line with the celebration of the National Day of Commemoration of Ireland last July 12, wherein the diplomatic corps in Ireland is invited. The ceremony was held in the presence of Irish President Michael D. Higgins and other Irish government officials, including Foreign Minister Charles Flanagan.

While in Dublin, Ambassador Manalo took the opportunity to also meet with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, and Revenue Ireland to discuss bilateral issues between the Philippines and Ireland.

The Ambassador also met with Arthur Cox, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) to establish links with them for possible business/trade and investment opportunities and explore potential areas that the Embassy and these organizations could collaborate on to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations between the Philippines and Ireland.

Ambassador Manalo also attended a small reception hosted by Philippine Honorary Consul in Dublin Mark Congdon for some of the Filipino leaders in Ireland. The Ambassador reported to the community that he had the opportunity to briefly chat with both President Higgins and Minister Flanagan at the National Day of Commemoration and they have both conveyed the high regard that Ireland holds for the Filipinos in Ireland and the positive contributions they have given to Irish society. END