The Louisiana Ireland Trade Commission on Oct. 20 discussed building academic partnerships with Ireland’s leading universities, exploring liquefied natural gas (LNG) export and distribution opportunities, and promoting forestry and tourism links — and agreed to continue planning a Washington, D.C., reception tied to Washington Mardi Gras in January 2026.

Commission members said the session focused on targeted, institution-to-institution outreach rather than broad, general-purpose visits. Dr. John Kerwin, a commission member who led a recent delegation to Ireland, said he met with Trinity College and University College Dublin and that commissioners should invite Irish counterparts to Louisiana to pursue investment and research collaborations. “The door was open,” Dr. John Kerwin said of the Irish institutions, noting opportunities to apply jointly for large European Commission research grants comparable in scale to U.S. NIH awards.

The commission’s discussion centered on three practical areas: life‑sciences research partnerships; energy — especially LNG — and associated industry convenings; and forestry and other agricultural exports that could match Irish demand.

On higher education and research, Kerwin described follow-up steps including a request to meet the Provost of Trinity College to align leadership and commercialization conversations. He said Pennington researchers and Louisiana’s clinical translational network are interested in shared projects on chronic disease, diabetes, cancer and related commercialization pathways.

Energy and LNG dominated much of the session. Commissioners discussed Ireland’s March 2025 decision to pursue a state‑led offshore LNG reserve to improve energy security and meet EU emergency‑reserve requirements, and explored how Louisiana exporters and services might link to that need. Representative Peter Egan flagged possible Port of Limerick distribution and asked how LNG supplies would be moved locally if pipeline capacity is limited: “It comes back to the same question — how do we do it?” he said.

Commissioners proposed several practical next steps: organizing a targeted trade mission with predefined one‑on‑one meetings in Ireland; convening an “LNG buyer summit” that would bring Louisiana exporters such as Venture Global and Cheniere into direct discussions with potential Irish buyers; and inviting Irish energy officials to tour Louisiana LNG facilities. Paige Carter, representing Louisiana Economic Development, suggested both taking Louisiana industry to Ireland and hosting Irish ministers in Louisiana to showcase export capacity.

Irish guests on the call, including Senator Mark Daley, urged reciprocal engagement. Daley described Ireland’s interest in diversifying energy supply and said, “I think a lot of Europe . . . will start to look West for their energy needs,” while also acknowledging political opposition at home; one Irish contact told commissioners that strong environmental opposition could limit some LNG projects.

The commission also discussed forestry exports. Commissioner Pat Shingleton and others reported outreach indicating that Port of Lake Charles could supply wood products to Ireland and that Ireland currently sources much of its forestry imports from Norway. Commissioners suggested including forestry firms in trade delegations.

On culture and tourism, members noted existing St. Patrick’s‑related events across Louisiana and discussed framing a Washington Mardi Gras reception for Jan. 30, 2026, at the Irish chancery (embassy). The chair said the embassy chancery has offered a 2–5 p.m. slot and commissioners discussed whether to pair a public reception with a smaller, private business roundtable for ministers and senior industry leaders. Carrie Stockwell and others recommended issuing a save‑the‑date and a short briefing to attract “heavy hitters” from energy and industry.

The commission did not take formal policy votes beyond routine meeting business. It approved minutes from the Dec. 10, 2024 meeting and later adjourned. Representative Dixon McMakin moved to adjourn and Representative Peter Egan seconded the motion, after which the chair closed the meeting.

Next steps the commission identified included: preparing a targeted itinerary and participant list for an Ireland visit (one‑on‑one meetings rather than broad delegations); developing a one‑page briefing for Irish ministers and embassy staff; scoping an LNG buyer summit and possible industry site visits in Louisiana; and setting a follow‑up commission meeting before the holidays to finalize Jan. 30 planning.

Commissioners emphasized targeted planning and advance introductions as essential, saying prearranged meetings and clear objectives would make delegations more effective than “casting a wide net.”

Votes at a glance
• Approve minutes of Dec. 10, 2024 — motion moved by Dr. John Kerwin; outcome: approved (no roll‑call tally specified).
• Motion to adjourn — motion moved by Representative Dixon McMakin; second by Representative Peter Egan; outcome: adjourned (no roll‑call tally specified).