Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 11, inclusive, together.

I led an economic mission to the United States from 11 to 15 July last. During this trip I met with leading figures in US business, politics and the media in New York and Atlanta, as well as representatives of the Irish American community.

I attended the New York Stock Exchange on 12 July and I launched "Innovation Fund - Ireland", which is to support enterprise development and job creation. The fund is a key pillar in the Government's smart economy strategy. The following day I met with the New York Mayor, Mr. Mike Bloomberg, at his City Hall headquarters in New York. The meeting was also attended by the New York City Council Speaker, Ms Christine Quinn. We discussed the economic situation in the US, Ireland and internationally and shared our experience on tackling the global recession. I listened with particular interest to the mayor's experience of improving public services in New York City, with a population of over 8 million people. I expressed my gratitude for the continued interest in and support for Ireland and the Irish community from New York City.

While in New York I also met with successful young Irish people based there who are part of the global Irish network and with Irish community leaders. My schedule also included meetings with Irish companies who are creating new business in the US, as well as representatives of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Tourism Ireland. In addition, I met with Irish campaigners for immigration reform.

Following my engagements in New York, I travelled to Atlanta, Georgia where I opened the first ever Irish diplomatic mission in the southern United States and met with Governor Sonny Perdue. This new consulate has been opened as part of the roll-out of the new strategy for Ireland-United States relations which I launched last year. In Atlanta, I also made a key-note speech on the Ireland-United States relationship to the Irish Chambers of Commerce USA and met with leading Georgia-based businesses that have invested and created jobs in Ireland.

While plans have not yet been finalised, I expect that I will next visit the United States for the traditional St. Patrick's Day celebrations in March 2011. I would expect to meet with the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board in the course of that visit. The Irish Embassy in Washington maintains very close contact with board members who are an important source of advice and assistance for us.

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