Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin says he hopes US President Barack Obama will consider easing some of the US restrictions on Cuba.
The trade embargo was imposed on Cuba 47 years ago amid US efforts to isolate the Cuban government and its leaders.
Mr Martin made his remarks during the first ever official visit by an Irish Government Minister to Havana.
He is the second EU Foreign Minister to visit Cuba since sanctions were lifted last year.
Ahead of the visit, the minister said he would avail of the opportunity to discuss a whole range of issues with his Cuban counterpart, including political, economic and social issues.
He said he also hoped to discuss the issue of human rights.
