Bound together on the edge of a continent, Wales and Ireland’s shared history and culture is steeped in saints, literature and song. Our nearest European neighbour is listed as one of five priority country relationships in the Welsh Government’s International Strategy.
Since 2021, an international agreement between the Welsh and Irish governments has guided their cooperation in six areas, including culture, the environment, energy, trade, education and research. The governments renewed the agreement in July 2025 and the Ireland-Wales Shared Statement 2030 now sets the framework for cooperation.
The Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee’s latest report, Wales-Ireland relations: A portrait of brilliant possibility, has been published today on St Patrick’s Day. In it, the Committee revisits its 2023 report which assessed the effectiveness of the Welsh Government’s approach and is summarised in a previous article.
This article explains the Committee’s latest findings.
New UK-Ireland agreement “will benefit Wales”
In March 2025, the UK and Ireland also agreed a new international agreement, the UK-Ireland 2030 Joint Statement. This provides a new backdrop to Wales-Ireland relations which was raised by witnesses as positive, useful, and beneficial.
While the First Minister declined the Committee’s invitation to give evidence in person, her written information said that “a closer Ireland UK relationship will benefit Wales”.
Committee findings
The Committee issues five key findings and recommendations. Use the drop-down menus to find out more.
The Committee’s 2023 report detailed positive examples of cooperation, as well as significant goodwill, passion and enthusiasm between national bodies, organisations and artists. Committee witnesses were unanimous that links between Wales and Ireland represent a meaningful, valued, and dynamic relationship and an important part of their work.
The new report describes “impressive examples” of collaborations across the arts, broadcasters, national libraries, museums, archives and more. Languages were again identified as an important area.
|
Recommendation 1: A future Welsh Government should continue to make Wales-Ireland relations a priority in its international relations, by recommitting to the Shared Statement 2030 and by incorporating the Committee’s findings. |
This is the Committee’s fourth consecutive international relations inquiry where Brexit’s effects on touring artists and cross-border activity have been raised, including in its 2024 Culture shock report.
A final update from the Welsh Government on its efforts to help touring artists was received in February. The Arts Council pointed to Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU (June-December 2026) as an important opportunity for solutions.
|
Recommendation 2: A future Welsh Government should prioritise and raise the profile of the new relationship with the EU, as it relates to culture and creative work, including pressing the UK Government to reach joint solutions with the EU on touring artists and participation in EU programmes. |
The Committee found low awareness amongst witnesses of the Shared Statement’s renewal, including amongst those named in it. Amgueddfa Cymru, for example, explained that it hadn’t been part of discussions beyond hosting its launch by the Welsh Government. The Welsh and Irish Language Commissioners were also not consulted, despite a specific call in the Committee’s 2023 report for their future involvement.
Some organisations who were named in the 2021 agreement are no longer named, including a “surprised” Urdd who said it “would have expected to have been recognised for the work that we do”. The First Minister said moving away from naming stakeholders was an “updated” approach to “improve flexibility” and to “enable different collaborations with a wider variety of organisations”. However, some organisations are named, including the Arts Council andAmgueddfa Cymru, who both said they were “delighted” to be mentioned.
Conversely, engagement with the UK Government under the auspices of the new UK-Ireland agreement was more positive.
|
Recommendation 3: A future Welsh Government should involve stakeholders in Wales-Ireland relations, including by developing meaningful opportunities for their contribution to the delivery of the Shared Statement 2030. |
The Committee often heard that resources have been a challenge. This has been exacerbated by EU funding programmes ending, like the €100 million Interreg programme. Replacement funds have not been comparable by value or scale.
The First Minister highlighted multiple current funding streams, such as:
- “over half a million pounds” Agile Cymru funding;
- £50,000 Dublin office allocation for 2025-26; and
- £68,500 to deliver the Shared Statement.
A new €6 million Irish Government culture cooperation fund was welcomed by witnesses. It will allow Welsh bodies like the National Library to submit joint funding bids with their Irish counterparts.
|
Recommendation 4: A future Welsh Government should ensure that sufficient funding is allocated annually for Wales-Ireland relations, including to guarantee the successful delivery of the Shared Statement 2030. |
Witnesses were unanimously positive about the future of Wales-Ireland relations; likened to “a portrait of brilliant possibility” by broadcaster, Philip King.
All witnesses spoke of potential in their respective fields. The Consul General for Ireland spoke of “huge potential” in energy, education and research innovation, and languages.
National Library spoke of significant discoveries still being made amidst its collections, such as a draft of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty. It described how “it is a moment that sends a shiver down your spine, seeing the signatures of Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith, Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George and others on that final draft with handwriting everywhere”.
And Amgueddfa Cymru said:
Wales-Ireland is probably the biggest international opportunity we’ve got. So, as they say, go big or go home. I would take it to a whole new level.
|
Recommendation 5: A future Senedd committee should continue the Committee’s work on Wales-Ireland relations to ensure the relationship retains its special status and that our findings are implemented. |
Next steps for Wales-Ireland relations at the Senedd
The Committee is clear that the relationship between Wales and Ireland is as important as ever.
The report documents the breadth of cooperation taking place, both with and without government support, and pays tribute to both nations’ shared culture and history. It once more shines a light on cooperation in the post-Brexit era and the challenges still facing those striving to work cross-border to preserve these links.
It’s clear from the Committee’s evidence sessions that it has only scratched the surface of the tapestry that makes up the Wales and Ireland relationship. Time will tell if its final call, for a future Senedd committee to continue its work, will be answered.
Article by Sara Moran, Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament
