In accepting the contribution that successive Governments have made in increasing the allocation to the Irish abroad, there is a real need for the establishment of an Irish council along the lines of the British Council. I hope the Minister's officials will take note of that suggestion. The British Council operates exclusively to ensure that British excellence is propagated around the globe. A similar body is needed to promote Irish excellence abroad, as well as bringing the Irish diaspora closer. Although we have a wide variety of excellent social, sporting, cultural and industrial activities for the Irish overseas, these need to be better co-ordinated. This proposal has already been made in writing by a number of people. Senator Hayes and I are agreed on it and we are pursuing it through the Department of Foreign Affairs. The interdepartmental committee established by the Minister might be able to examine that proposal, although I accept this is a complex matter and does not concern emigrants alone.