Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to pick up on points made earlier about the importance of recognising the Irish diaspora. In that context, I commend Senator Lawless on the work he has done. I also commend all of the Irish Americans and the Irish centres all over the United States of America on their tremendous work promoting Irish culture, heritage and the connections that sustain links with the Irish who currently reside on the other side of the Atlantic. As Minister of State, I had the honour of visiting the mid-west of the United States in 2015 and in the cities of St. Louis and Indianapolis I met a very proud Irish community. However, the members of that community were very concerned that the traditional links with Ireland were weakening. Some of the Irish people who had been to the forefront in promoting Irish links had passed away or were no longer as active as they had been previously. There is a concern that the mid-west, which would not have seen the same level of interaction as areas on the east and west coast of the USA needs to see more sustainable linkages developed in terms of culture, education and business. It is important that this House recognises those links. I know that Irish Americans really appreciate it when Irish representatives, be they mayors, Ministers or other representatives of the State, go to the USA to strengthen those links. I urge the Leader to invite the Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora, Deputy McHugh, to the House for a debate on this issue. I know that such debates are appreciated and we must consistently raise and recognise the importance of the diaspora in this House.