Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board was established in late 1992. Its purpose is to engage corporate leaders in the United States in an effort to promote Ireland as an investment location, to avail of their help in the Northern Ireland situation and to respond to Irish-American leaders' willingness to be identified with Irish issues. Meetings with the board provide an invaluable insight into current and future business trends and an assessment of the US economy and the future prospects for US companies investing in Ireland. The discussions also tend to cover Ireland's own economic performance, initiatives taken by the Government to promote indigenous and foreign investment and an assessment of the Northern Ireland situation. It is a useful source of advice and personal contacts among the Irish-American business community. The Irish embassy maintains very close contact with board members who are an important source of advice and assistance for us. Likewise, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland have offices in key US locations and are in constant contact with important US investors in Ireland.

The Deputy referred to the strategy report undertaken by the ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Collins, on the initiative of Government. In the aftermath of what has been thus far a successful implementation of many aspects of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement, although there is a still work to be done in that respect, I felt it was timely to review our relationships and how we can continue to encourage that rapport and close contact with the United States, not only with its Administration but in terms of what role the diaspora could play in the future.

There is not as much travel by Irish people to the United States as was the case in previous generations. We all know from our family connections, if nothing else, that over quite a short period of time - a matter of a few decades - and from one generation to the next, we can see a very quick and, in many respects, a natural lessening in the ties that bind us. That can happen very quickly.

Similarly with relationships between states, it is very important we do not take for granted the relationship with the United States. Having obviously consulted many community and other leaders among Irish Americans and people outside the diaspora, the ambassador brought forward this report. It is by its nature a long-term strategy and it is not about changing the situation overnight. As time moves on, we must see in what way we maintain our influence.

For example, we saw the demise of Senator Ted Kennedy. He is a recent example of a strong political personality who passed from the stage. How to replace that void in political terms is not something which can be done overnight or at the flick of a switch. It requires developing a rapport and relationships with political figures on both sides of the aisle in the United States on an ongoing basis which cannot replace immediately such a major figure for us.

Many people want to assist and help. What that strategy outlines is that over time, we need to increase our physical presence throughout the United States. It does not necessarily mean adding huge costs to existing operations. We may have to try to see in what way existing budgets can be prioritised to accommodate these types of developments which are envisaged in the same way as we must in our domestic policy framework.

One of the recommendations was this idea of an Irish-American leadership council. Members of the council met the Minister for Foreign Affairs on his visit to the United States. It is not an executive body. Again, it is about having a structure that will enable people from different walks of life, and not only the commercial or corporate side of America, to be part of a structure which would interface with Government.

One of the great outcomes, or one of the most important legacies of the peace process, in particular in America, has been that all strands of opinion in the diaspora are working hand in hand with the Government. That is something we need to elevate and work on because in the past, I am convinced there were many missed opportunities owing to the disparate opinions taken by different elements of the diaspora over time in regard to the Troubles in Northern Ireland, etc. Thankfully, we have found an inclusive way forward in which people's political aspirations or views can be accommodated on the basis of adherence to the democratic principles.

More important, many people are now working on a common agenda with regard to developing the country and developing investment opportunities, ensuring that trade and investment into the United States by Irish companies can be successful. A significant change has occurred because of the fact we have settled political differences in that respect. The ambassador's strategy report is a first step of many that will need to be taken to address this loosening of ties that can happen very quickly, almost in front of our eyes if we are not careful. The report contains many recommendations on how we then ensure that people's sense of identity in the United States, even if they are third, fourth or fifth generation beyond the original connection, and that their sense of Irishness can be accommodated and acknowledged. This is the context of the report.

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