Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will continue the meeting with a discussion on two very important topics, the second Global Irish Economic Forum and the undocumented Irish in the US. It is an appropriate time to discuss this with external action unit.

To assist in the consideration of these matters, we are joined by Mr. Niall Burgess, director general of the Anglo-Irish division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Joe Hackett, director, Irish abroad unit, and Mr. Karl Gardner, deputy director, Irish abroad unit. They are all very welcome.

The second Global Irish Economic Forum was held in October 2011. It provided an opportunity for members of the Government, along with Ministers of State, representatives of the Opposition, senior officials from Government Departments and State agencies and leading members of the Irish business and cultural sectors to meet directly with many of the most influential members of the Irish diaspora and discuss Ireland's priorities for economic renewal, job creation and the restoration of Ireland's reputation abroad.

When this committee met the Tánaiste after St. Patrick's Day 2012 to review the progress of the forum, he told us that to be successful the forum must be able to demonstrate its contribution towards Ireland's economic regeneration. We look forward to hearing today what progress has be made on the key outcomes and what remains to be done.

The more than 300 members of the global Irish network who are valuable partners in the Global Irish Economic Forum are just one part of the story of the Irish diaspora. It is very important that we continue to prioritise the plight of the many undocumented Irish in the US. Their status leaves them in a legal limbo which affects their lives in many ways, whether it is their ability to get secure employment or travel home for family funerals. Addressing this issue and reforming our migration arrangements with the US are important priorities for the Government, and I am sure members of the committee will be interested to know what work is progressing, that is, what is being done by the Irish abroad unit and our embassies and what is happening in Washington, in particular the immigration reform Bill in the US Senate.

Before I invite the witnesses to make their presentation, I advise them that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of utterances at this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease making remarks on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their remarks. They are directed that only comments or evidence in regard to the subject matter of this meeting are to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses or an official in such a way as to identify him or her.

I call on Mr. Burgess to make his presentation. I apologise; there is a vote in the Seanad, but I am sure members will return.