Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The population of the State is approximately 4.6 million, according to the last census. Approximately 70 million people throughout the world claim Irish heritage and there are 40 million people in the United States. It is a huge network. The traditional events such as St. Patrick's Day events are very important and they gather a big catchment of people.

We have involved people who are well placed in the world of business and it has a number of advantages for us. These are people who sit on the boards of directors of companies considering investment decisions. Very often it is the Irish connection that turns the key decision our way. Opportunities for trade are opened up. Ireland is an exporting country which exports 80% of everything it produces. Having people with an attitude of goodwill towards this country who can open doors for companies and help to develop new markets is very important.

Ireland has a joint economic commission with Russia which deals with trade. The education sector is a growing market in Russia and also in Brazil. The President visited Brazil accompanied by the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello. An agreement was concluded to bring 5,000 students from Brazil to Ireland to participate in education in our universities. The potential is endless. I am committed to expanding our reach among the diaspora. I want to mobilise the Diaspora to help the country, particularly at an economically difficult time. There is a great level of goodwill for this country among the members of the Irish Diaspora and it would be a great mistake not to harness it.

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