Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 48: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail the contacts he has had with the US Secretary of State Ms Hillary Clinton and UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Mr Owen Patterson MP, regarding the appointment of a successor to Mr. Declan Kelly as US economic envoy to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16881/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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During his two years as Economic Envoy, Declan Kelly invested considerable time and energy in a range of initiatives to attract new investment to Northern Ireland and to develop relationships which I believe will continue to bear fruit in the years ahead. The successful Northern Ireland Economic Conference which took place in Washington last year is one example of the commitment and vision which he brought to the role of Economic Envoy. I have not discussed the appointment of a successor with the Secretary of State but I know of her continuing commitment to the peace process and her support for the Northern Ireland Executive. Indeed, following Declan Kelly's resignation last month, Secretary Clinton reaffirmed that the United States will continue to work with Northern Ireland to expand the opportunities that have been identified during his tenure as US Economic Envoy.

Of course, the Government will also continue to work directly with the Executive and support its efforts in any way we can, including through the North South Ministerial Council. We have benefitted tremendously from joint work, not least in the area of tourism, and there are other areas where working together we can increase investment and opportunity for all our people.