Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

If one considers other diasporas, including those from Israel, India and others, it is clear that we have used our diaspora in the United States and in the UK for the purpose of helping to consolidate the peace process, which was a priority and a precondition for establishing some stability and being able to engage the diaspora. One of the great outcomes of the peace process is that we now have a united diaspora with us. We have a diaspora that is very knowledgeable about modern Ireland. We have a very informed public in those countries where our diaspora is located because of its involvement in peace building, etc.

We now need to broaden that approach. We need to look at talented high achievers who may not be Irish but be of Irish extraction or have a very strong sense of Ireland. While they may be many generations assimilated into their country of birth they still have a very strong sense of Irishness and want to contribute very positively to the success of Ireland. That is a broader definition that we need to corral into constructive purpose. This initiative provides an opportunity to identify many people in dispersed fields of activity who can come to Ireland, sit down on the basis of a very good agenda and work through these issues to help the Government to improve its thinking as to where strategically Ireland can go and where the opportunities might emerge.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs is organising that initiative for Government and is working across Departments and agencies, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. All of that is being pulled together under his leadership.

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