Ambassador to Ireland

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Richard Andrews as Australia's next Ambassador to Ireland.

Australia and Ireland enjoy a warm and friendly relationship. In 2016 we commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

Our bilateral relationship is underpinned by strong economic, historical and people-to-people links. Today over two million Australians claim Irish ancestry.

Economic ties between our countries are well established and in 2015, two-way goods and services trade was valued at $3.8 billion. Our investment relationship is also strong. In 2015, Ireland's investment in Australia totalled $18.4 billion and Australian investment in Ireland was $10.1 billion.

Mr Andrews is a senior career officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and has previously served overseas as Minister (Political), Australian Embassy, Tokyo and as Counsellor, Australian High Commission, London. He had earlier postings in Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur.

In Canberra, Mr Andrews was most recently Assistant Secretary, Mainland South-East Asia Bilateral Branch, and has previously served in the G20 Taskforce, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and as Executive Director, Economic Analytical Unit, DFAT.

Mr Andrews holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Certificate of Public Sector Management from Griffith University.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Dr Ruth Adler for her important contribution to advancing Australia's interests in Ireland since 2013.