Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent visit to the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41862/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I visited Washington and New York from 14-17 October 2009. During my visit, I met with American politicians, members of the Irish community and the wider business community, including with clients of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. Every effort was made to promote Irish-American political, economic and cultural relations during the visit.

I addressed the European Institute in Washington on the theme of "Equipping the EU for global challenges: an Irish view". This was an invaluable opportunity to explain Irish attitudes to the EU and the Lisbon Treaty and to set out how the EU and US are working together to address global challenges. I then travelled to Capitol Hill, where I met senior members of Congress, including Senators John McCain, Chris Dodd, Paul Kirk, Lindsey Graham, Bob Casey, Jeanne Shaheen and Pat Leahy. I also met with 16 members of the House of Representatives, including Congressman Richie Neal, who is Chairman of the Friends of Ireland group in the US Congress, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Congressman Patrick Kennedy. Our discussions covered a wide range of subjects, including the outcome of the Lisbon referendum in Ireland, the current economic climate, the situation in Northern Ireland, the Global Irish Economic Forum held at Farmleigh in September and, of course, the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States.

In New York, I chaired the inaugural meeting of the Ireland-US Leadership Council. The formation of the Council was a key proposal of the Ireland-US Strategic Review, which was launched by the Taoiseach in March. The grouping brings together leaders of the main Irish-American organisations in the business, community and cultural fields. In New York, I also met with a broad range of Irish community representatives including those from the main Irish advice and support centers across the US and the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR). I also had an opportunity to see how we are providing practical support to Irish communities in the US when I visited a project in Rockland County, where the Irish Government and the GAA have jointly supported the development of local sports grounds for around 700 boys and girls who are actively involved in gaelic games.

I addressed a business breakfast for 60-70 guests at Ireland House in New York and briefed them on the outcome of the Lisbon referendum and on the steps the Government is taking to address the economic challenges we face. The guests included key clients of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland and I also met with business media. Other engagements included attending an interfaith service on Staten Island, in memory of Irish famine emigrants who died while quarantined on arrival in New York. The Irish-US relationship is of enormous importance and benefit to Ireland and my visit was an opportunity to maintain and further develop key relationships in Washington and New York.