Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

The figure of 72 million people whom the Minister estimates have Irish connections is startling, although the criteria for the categorisation is rather broad in that people who feel they are Irish are also included. Many people who feel they are Irish may have no Irish connections but everyone is welcome. It is a resource that we should tap into and utilise.

The Minister set up the conference in Farmleigh and I understand the Global Irish Network has approximately 280 members. I assume the majority of those come from North America, and the United States in particular. Can the Minister give me any indication of the membership of the Global Irish Network, including its areas of expertise, because in trying to utilise this resource it is important that we look east and west rather than confining ourselves to the United States? Has the network put forward any proposals and strategies for the future? Has the Department brought forward any initiatives following the meeting in Farmleigh?

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