Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My apologies for arriving late. There was another committee meeting on at the same time. I read Mr. Staunton's submission and the points he made are important in the context of the review which is taking place. The references to the diaspora are important. While I do not agree with the suggestion on voting, something we discussed over many years, I strongly agree with Mr. Staunton's point about identification with the diaspora in a way that is seen to recognise their position, and in a way that is helpful to them rather than exploitative of them. Anything we do in that area is recognition of some degree of responsibility for them. That is the way it should be, because if were running our show in the way it should be run, we would not have had such a large diaspora accumulate over the years. One of the things we need to learn is how to plan our economy in the future to ensure fewer people are forced to go abroad. If people wish to go of their own accord, then in the modern world we must provide for that.

One of the things we have learned in recent years is that the diaspora have become very influential abroad. It was in the recent times of difficulty that we recognised the full extent of their importance. It was acknowledged by the former President Mary Robinson that we needed to recognise the existence of our diaspora and that we had an ongoing responsibility for them, rather than resiling from them and pretending they did not exist until we unexpectedly heard from them at Christmas and such times.

It is crucially important that is done.

On the issue of embassies, I have always held the view that the diplomatic service has an important role to play. It reflects the image of the country, the integrity, role and values of the country and can impart those values on the international arena in a way which is beneficial to the country and also in a way that nobody else can. It is important to remember that we have been blessed with the calibre of the people who know their job and do it well. Internationally, they are recognised easily. Anywhere one goes one will find recognition for the Irish diplomat in a way that is not always evident and obvious with others.

The role of the diplomatic service now in the context of foreign policy will be greater than in the past. The world is a much smaller place. Travel times have shrunk enormously. What happens here in the morning happens in a couple of hours' time in another part of the globe. We need to gear ourselves for the modern era, the digital era for want of a better description, in terms of our foreign policy.

I mentioned previously about Ireland being a neutral country. Once upon a time we used to preface all our remarks that Ireland was a neutral country as if we were second-class citizens. I am glad to note that, generally speaking, we do not do that any more. There is a significant improvement in that area. We have a very important and meaningful role to play on the international stage and that can be done by simply stating our case as we are and being positive on the global stage. That can be done in terms of trade, for which the Department has responsibility, to a greater extent. I recognise it was stated yesterday by Mr. Noel Dorr that was always the case, but there is a greater emphasis on it now, and there has to be because the greater need arose in the past few years. As a result of that greater need, it gives us a great opportunity in this review to push all the buttons, in the type of situation referred to by Senator David Norris and others, and to point out all the areas in which we think we can improve and raise the bar that little bit more. That would be hugely beneficial to ourselves as a country, our diaspora and the international community.

I mentioned yesterday that our peacekeeping forces were recognised worldwide. They are recognised as being experts in that particular area. In the same way our trading sectors have shown in the past couple of years that when called upon, they can do as well as anywhere else in the world and better. Instead of being negative and resiling from the situation that presents itself, each Department, the diplomats and the progressive sectors of the media have all risen to the occasion. I will not refer to the individual medial outlets other than to congratulate them.