Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney begins two-day visit to Ireland

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has begun an official two-day visit to the Republic of Ireland.

He and his wife Diana Fox Carney arrived at Dublin Airport at about 10:00 local time and met Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin.

It is the first bilateral visit to the country by a Canadian prime minister since Justin Trudeau's in 2017.

Gardaí (Irish police) said the impact on traffic will be "localised and minimal," but there will be temporary rolling road closures to facilitate events and security escorts over the course of Saturday.

At a joint press conference Mr Martin said: "I know I speak for the people of Mayo, and indeed for the Irish people more broadly, when I say that we are deeply honoured to welcome him back."

Mr Carney said: "Micheál, thank you for welcoming me back home.

"It is a true pleasure to return to Dublin, and an honour to be the first Canadian prime minister in a decade to be making an official visit here."

Saturday's meeting takes place in Government Buildings and later he will be hosted at a dinner in Dublin Castle.

The two leaders will agree a framework for a strategic and economic partnership.

He is also expected to visit Trinity College and give a speech.

Martin said it would be an "excellent occasion to celebrate and strengthen the bilateral relationship between Ireland and Canada".

"With such strong Irish heritage, it will also be an opportunity for Prime Minister Carney to celebrate and explore his Irish heritage, and I know Mayo is looking forward to welcoming him home."

On Sunday Carney, who has Irish heritage, will travel to County Mayo, in the west of the country, to visit the home of his paternal grandparents in Aghagower.

Carney's grandparents left the village more than 100 years ago for Canada.

While visiting Aughagower, Carney will attend Mass in the parish church and visit the nearby cemetery, where some of his ancestors are buried.

He also has a third grandparent from County Cavan.

He will later meet Irish President Catherine Connolly in Westport.

The Irish government said that the taoiseach and Canadian PM will announce a new bilateral cooperation framework to "strengthen the partnership between the two countries across key areas including trade and investment, life sciences, research and innovation, and security and defence".

According to the Irish government, trade and economic ties between Ireland and Canada have expanded "significantly" in recent years.

Bilateral trade in goods and services has grown from €3.2bn (£2.76bn) in 2016 to more than €12bn (£10.35bn) in 2024.

They added that Canadian investment in Ireland has increased by 131% since 2016, while Ireland is now Canada's eighth largest foreign investor.