Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

-----the question on the APSO-type contribution where people make their skills available to do development work generally, or across the world, we have a personal services organisation that does that work and it is part of the funding for development aid by the Department of Foreign Affairs. I presume that can be augmented or increased, where demand requires it or skills are sought. There have been many instances where Irish citizens have volunteered for that type of work and I commend them for it.

On the issue in regard to Atlanta, a consulate has been set up there and it has been very much welcomed. While it is located in Atlanta, it's remit is not limited to the Georgia situation, although, as the Deputy said, there are important firms in the Atlanta area. It is an important commercial hub in the United States. The other southern states will be part of the remit of work of the consulate.

On the question of the people from the IDA being seconded there, IDA personnel who work in the United States work from a couple of offices nationwide but they are very much on the move all the time and are not located in a geographical space. We have people of expertise in the various sectors who keep in touch with the foreign direct investment community on a very regular basis. Operating in that way the work is company focused rather than geographically based, which is probably the best way to operate. I would defer to the IDA's experience in that respect as to how it organises itself to best effect.

On the question of the consulate generally, it was a question of increasing our presence in that part of the world. We have a large number of Irish in that area, Irish from this part of the jurisdiction and Irish from the North of both traditions. It is important to point out that this consulate gives us a foothold in the southern states and places us at the centre of a dynamic economic base. I am also delighted to say that we have appointed new honorary consuls in Denver, Seattle, Pittsburgh and New Orleans. That is another initiative. As part of the strategic initiative on the Irish-US relationship, we have also, as the Deputy will be aware, established the Irish American Leadership Council. Its first meeting last year in October was attended by representatives of the Irish-American community, including economic, social, political and cultural organisations and US based representatives of Irish Government agencies. Delegates attended from all regions of the United States, including representatives from Houston to Chicago and from New York to San Francisco. A second meeting was held in September of this year. This is another important resource which is being developed.

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