Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Resources have been allocated in this year's Estimates so we will do it as quickly as possible in terms of securing a premises and the allocation of personnel. It will take a normal timeframe. These are missions where we can establish a presence relatively quickly. I have been to Australia on a number of occasions. Melbourne will become the largest city in Australia before too long. It has a strong historic Irish-Australian community as well a new younger Irish community of whom thousands were born in Ireland. Australia has always been close to Ireland with a strong partnership. There are also significant economic ties between Ireland and Australia and great familial, historic and cultural ties so this is good news. Melbourne is a great sporting city and there is a resonance there with Irish people in terms of Melbourne and history.

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