Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the discussions with New Hampshire State officials that the Embassy of Ireland in Washington had on their recent visit to New England; if he envisages that any new links will be established, either with the diaspora, in terms of trade or otherwise, between the US State and here in the near future [21901/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Ambassador to the United States, Michael Collins, accompanied by the Consul General for the New England area, Michael Lonergan, visited New Hampshire on April 26 where they met with Governor Maggie Hassan in the State capital, Concord. Ambassador Collins and Governor Hassan discussed a number of issues of mutual interest to Ireland and New Hampshire, focusing heavily on trade and investment. The Ambassador also extended an invitation to the Governor to visit Ireland at some point in the future.

New Hampshire has strong historical links to Ireland, with over 280,000, or over one-fifth of the state’s population, claiming Irish ancestry. Such strong Diaspora connections are a tangible asset in developing Irish trade and investment links in the region. A number of Enterprise Ireland client companies have also opened offices recently in New Hampshire as an initial gateway to the United States marketplace. I hope this recent visit encourages further development of economic relations between New Hampshire and Ireland.