Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together.

My next meeting with the Ireland-America economic advisory board has not yet been scheduled but I hope to hold a meeting with the board in the course of a future visit to the United States. It has been the practice for the past number of years to meet the board during the course of my annual visit to Washington over the St. Patrick's Day period.

My Department maintains contact with the board primarily through our embassy in Washington, as well as through annual visits and meetings. As the House will be aware, board members give voluntarily of their time and expertise in a number of ways. I see an important future role for the advisory board. The board provides a structure through which the thinking of the most senior and successful leaders of corporate Irish-America can be conveyed directly, and at the highest level, to Government. The board also constitutes an important resource upon which the Government can draw, as required, for strategic investment advice, including personalised access to key contacts.

Since its establishment, there have been many positive results, both formal and informal, including providing advice on issues such as branding Ireland in the US, helping with important investment projects and securing a deeper involvement on the part of corporate America in Irish affairs. Board members play important but discreet roles in promoting Ireland's interests and in assisting the Government and State agencies such as IDA Ireland.

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