International Economic Relaions The International Economic Relations Unit plays a key role in advancing Ireland’s economic fortunes and delivering more sustainable public finances by maintaining dialogue with European and international counterparts. This allows for a greater external appreciation of Ireland’s situation and the progress which has been made in restoring the public finances. The Unit has put in place a structured programme of inward and outward visits with the objective of deepening alliances in order to advance our national interests. Diplomatic staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are seconded to manage this unit. Principal Objectives: To deepen and enhance dialogue across partners at a bilateral level in order to foster closer ties with EU member states, so as to advance our interests at EU level. At an international level, to enhance and deepen dialogue with Finance Ministries outside the EU. To act as a senior policy level liaison between the Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and our network of Embassies. To develop policy on key EU issues, including strategy on the future of Economic and Monetary Union.