A comprehensive review of Government’s engagement with the Irish abroad has been started by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore.

The review will include a wide public consultation process and Mr Gilmore has invited submissions from interested people at home and abroad.

“Engagement with our diaspora is of enormous importance for Ireland.

“Together, we have built economic links resulting in trade, investment and tourism.

“Our engagement has played an important role in efforts to bring a lasting peace to this island. It has also deepened ties of culture and kinship,” Mr Gilmore said in a statement yesterday.

He said the achievements of the diaspora, both those born in Ireland and those who claim Irish heritage, had enhanced the profile and reputation of Ireland in the world, and were a source of pride to people in Ireland.

“The diaspora is diverse, encompassing those who left in recent years and the descendants of those who left 100 years ago, or more.

“We want to hear from all of the Irish overseas.”

He said that while many Irish people had found great success overseas, for others it had been a challenging and difficult experience.

The Emigrant Support Programme was designed to help those in need overseas.

“We also engage with our diaspora through the Global Irish Network and the Global Irish Economic Forum,” said Mr Gilmore.

He added that engagement with the diaspora was not the domain of Government alone.

“I know that local communities are becoming increasingly active in engaging those who left and their descendants. We also want to hear from these communities,” he said.

Those at home and abroad who are interested in and affected by issues of emigration, and the wider questions of engagement with the diaspora were invited by Mr Gilmore to contribute their views.

The consultation document, with details of how submissions should be made, can be found on the department's website: dfa.ie/our-role-policies/
the-irish-abroad