Ireland's Foreign Relations in 2011

Abstract

This article explores, in the first instance, the enmeshment of state, regional and global economic interests in the prosecution of Irish foreign relations. It suggests that the systematic economic malfunction experienced in the Euro zone was the dominant environment within which Irish foreign policy managers operated during 2011. Moreover, the Euro zone problems provided the
background against which foreign policy activity in other areas, including support for official development assistance, was undertaken. This article charts a year of economic instability, political upheaval and small-state weakness, evolution in government structure and imposed austerity. It also treats matters not directly related to economic recovery but significant in other respects, such as the remarkably successful visit to Ireland of Queen Elizabeth II.