Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, cé go bhfuil tréimhse fada imithe ón am a thosaigh muid ag iarraidh go dtiocfadh sé isteach ag caint linn. Mar is eol dó, is mise urlabhraí Shinn Féin maidir leis an diaspóra. Tá mé an-bhródúil as an taithí agus an stair atá ag Sinn Féin ó thaobh déileáil lenár gcuid saoránaithe thar lear ar fud an domhain. Ar bhealach, tá sé deacair glacadh leis nuair a deirtear go bhfuil an Rialtas ar an leathanach céanna linn ós rud é nach féidir linn i gcónaí na gníomhartha atá ag tarlú ar an talamh ó thaobh cúrsaí diaspóra de a fheiceáil. Ní fiú faic dóibh siúd atá ag smaoineamh ar teacht ar ais go hÉireann an dea-thoil atáimid ag léiriú anseo agus atá le cloisteáil ón Rialtas. Tá lucht an diaspóra ag rá liom go bhfuil na húdaráis anseo ag cur bac ar dhaoine atá ag iarraidh teacht abhaile, cé go bhfuil siad ag rá go bhfuil siad ag cur fáilte rompu. Míneoidh mé é sin ar ball. Caithfear tacaíocht chuí a chur ar fáil don diaspóra agus an beart a dhéanamh. Ag cruinniú den Comhchoiste um Ealaíona, Oidhreacht, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an tseachtain seo caite, léirigh na heagraíochtaí a tháinig chun cainte linn go soiléir an frustrachas agus an díomá atá orthu. Mhínigh siad go bhfuil siad ag streachailt leis na mblianta aird an Rialtais a choinneáil ar an gceist seo. Molaim an Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, Safe Home Ireland agus na grúpaí eile a labhair ag an gcoiste sin.

Last week in the Joint Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, we had a very informed debate on the issues facing the Irish diaspora. Much reference was made during the contributions to the interdepartmental working group on the diaspora. Many third parties such as those in attendance last week had made submissions to that committee, and I know that the Minister of State has said that it is meeting again in March, but can he clarify how often it has met since he has become Minister of State? What has the committee actually achieved? We were told that the work of that committee is very slow. Which Ministers are taking part and what have they achieved? On a practical level, while I was researching this debate I asked for a copy of the submissions that were made to that interdepartmental committee and I was not successful in getting those documents. Perhaps the Minister of State and his Department could furnish us with those detailed submissions so that we can review them in greater detail.

The most refreshing point of view I heard during that debate was that we should not think of those who emigrated as anything other than Irish citizens, that is, Irish citizens wanting to return to Ireland. The role of the Government is not just as a good will ambassador but as the representative of these citizens, therefore there is a role to play in removing any barriers that remain for those wishing to return. We are all very well versed in this Government's rhetoric about how the Fianna Fáil-led Administration ruined the economy and forced thousands to emigrate.