Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Taoiseach the date of establishment of Irish-American Economics Advisory Board; if this body is still in existence; the purpose and role of this body; the number of members of the board of this body; the number of whom are appointed by his Department; the person by whom the remaining board members are appointed; the amount of financial support provided by the Government to this committee for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5376/08]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of the Ireland America Economic Advisory Board was approved by the then Government in late 1992 and was a recognition by the Government of the Irish-American presence in leadership positions of many top US corporations. The purpose of the Board is to engage with corporate leaders in America to promote Ireland as an investment location. The Board has provided a structure through which the thinking of the most senior and successful leaders of corporate Irish-America can be conveyed directly, and at the highest level, to Government. The Board also constitutes an important resource upon which the Government can draw, as required, for strategic investment advice.

I have regular meetings with the Board, usually in the US, where we exchange information and views on the US and Irish economies and I brief them on political developments in Northern Ireland. I am responsible for appointing the Board which is currently comprised of 42 members. The Board members give voluntarily of their time. Travel, subsistence and all other costs associated with the Board's activities, are covered by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The expenditure for the last five years in this regard is as follows: