Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I thank Ms Leonard Dibra. That probably deals with members' questions. I will turn to Mr. King and maybe seek a closing comment. I thank him for his earlier submission. Apologies for not being here myself but I am most grateful indeed for the documentation he furnished along with his oral presentation. It seems quite clear to me we have work to do. We would be keen to do what was mentioned by Deputies Brady and Stanton. Some of the issues raised are new and many have been around for many years in terms of access to healthcare, insurance, driving licences, housing, employment, the recognition or otherwise of professional certificates and qualifications and, more recently, a greater diversity within the Irish diaspora.

I want to comment on what Deputies Brady and Stanton said in respect of the Indecon report. We should see whether we can do an evaluation or can have one done on that in order that we can not only attend to ourselves but also transmit to Government a request that a greater level of focus from Government is needed towards many of these recommendations and in terms of gaps that might appear in the multi-departmental approach.

I acknowledge the importance of the emigrant support programme and the work our officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs do on the ground, not only here in Ireland but more particularly across our network of consulates in the United States, which continues to grow in response to the Irish community and level of business that is appropriate to such offices. We very much acknowledge the programme workers and the fact that just under €1 million is made available from the Department of Foreign Affairs annually, and specifically within that is a tailored diaspora fund.

There is a body of work for us to do, however. Our meeting is, therefore, timely as well as being important. This is an area to which we shall return, certainly before the end of the year. I will call Mr. King for a final word and then maybe wrap up with Ms Leonard Dibra, Ms Kennelly and Mr. Staunton. I acknowledge the importance of our meeting.