Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Clendennen is so right. Not only should we be extraordinarily proud of our diaspora, as we are, but as a country we have done quite a good job of keeping the links and investing. Other countries ask Ireland about our diaspora strategies and how they can learn from and work with us on that. Ours is one of the few countries that has an emigrant support programme, where we provide relatively small sums of money to diaspora programmes abroad. It makes a real impact on them. I am very proud to see that when I go abroad.

I also want to take the opportunity that Deputy Clendennen's question presents and pay tribute to the men and women who represent us overseas. I mean this very sincerely. I am always very proud when I travel abroad representing Ireland. We turn up as Ministers, taoisigh and tánaistí. We are often there for an event, or the Ceann Comhairle is. We come in and do the event and it is all very pleasant, we work hard and then we go home. The men and women who are there all the time represent Ireland in good times and bad, in challenging and sometimes dangerous environments, speaking up for Ireland and our values, and being there at times of great celebration and jubilation but also times of great tragedy. I am often struck by the very positive feedback I often get from citizens of this country on how they experienced Ireland through the form of our diplomats and local teams at times of tragedy, bereavement or loss. I want to say, I am sure on behalf of all of us, a huge "go raibh míle maith agaibh" to everybody who works in our diplomatic missions right across the world. I know they can work in far-flung parts of this world. We are very proud of all that they do.

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