Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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We are considering the matter and the committee might give some thought to it. It would be helpful to have the committee's view, first, whether we should have a system whereby an emergency passport can be secured for a fee and, second, its views as to the level at which it should be pitched.

The reason for funding the GAA is that the GAA and the clubs run by the GAA in Britain and elsewhere have in recent years particularly become the first place of call for many of the new Irish emigrants going abroad. The funding we are providing is obviously helping in the promotion of Gaelic games and the work being done by the GAA in many Irish communities abroad, but it is also providing a network particularly for new emigrants. We have a very good close collaboration with the GAA in this area. I commend the GAA, its clubs and the GAA councils abroad on the excellent work they are doing, not just in promoting the games but also in how well they work with our embassies and consulates in providing a network particularly for new Irish emigrants.