I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
I visited the United States from 12 to 18 September 1992. The primary purpose of my visit was to encourage increased US investment in Ireland across a range of economic sectors, including industry, tourism, technology transfer, as well as exports to the US. To this end, I had meetings in New York, San Jose and San Francisco with business executives of major US corporations whose companies are potential investors in Ireland or are considering investment projects here.
In New York I also met with the Board of New York University which is establishing a Centre for Irish Studies at the University. I met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations for a discussion on issues of current world concern, including Yugoslavia and Somalia as well as the upcoming visit by President Robinson. At a meeting with the Heads of our semi-State bodies in New York, I heard their views on development matters and I emphasised the Government's intention to proceed rapidly with the establishment of an Ireland House which would bring together in one location all our semi-State bodies and the Consulate-General. I regard this project as an important element in giving a greater focus in the United States to Ireland's attractions as a location for investment, tourism, trade, etc.
One of my primary aims while in New York was to seek the co-operation and participation of a number of prominent Irish-American business people in the establishment of an Irish-American economic advisory board which would help identify new opportunities and companies who might like to invest in Ireland in the industrial or services sectors, including tourism and financial services, or engage in technology transfers with Irish companies or be interested in purchasing goods and components from Ireland. I explained to the group that, as well as helping the identification of such possibilities, I would like to see them help to develop these through their personal knowledge and contacts. I envisage that the board would meet periodically, say three or four times a year, in the Irish Embassy in Washington under the Chairmanship of a Government Minister or the Irish Ambassador to the United States. The State agencies based in the United States would attend these meetings to discuss and explore specific possibilities.
Individual contacts could also be arranged outside the regular Board meetings. The Irish-American business figures warmly welcomed and readily agreed to my proposal which they described as one long needed. The establishment of the advisory board is now being actively pursued by our Ambassador in Washington.
The board represents an extremely powerful, influential and knowledgeable force which could help the United States economy to grow abroad and help the Irish economy to grow faster so that we can reduce the unacceptably high level of unemployment.
In San Jose, I spoke to a large and influential grouping of Chairmen and Chief Executives of American corporations in Silicon Valley on the benefits to both the US and Ireland of US investment in Ireland, as a member of the European Community. A number of these corporations are already in active negotiations with the IDA about setting up operations in Ireland and I expect some positive announcements over the next few weeks.
During my visit to San Francisco I addressed the American-Ireland Fund, the Commonwealth Club and World Affairs Council and performed the official opening of the Exibition of Old Master European Paintings from the National Gallery of Ireland.
The promotion of investment in the Irish economy was the primary aim of my visit to the United States. I am satisfied that a sizeable number of new jobs will be created as a result of my visit. I avail, of course, of every opportunity that arises during visits abroad to advance Ireland's economic development. The visit to the US was my first with this as the primary objective.
As to the other countries I have visited, I should say that the same objective applies to my contacts abroad with foreign leaders and businessmen. The countries I have visited since taking up office last February and the time spent on the visits is indicated in the following schedule. As Deputies will see, the countries include — in addition to the US — Britain, Brazil, Portugal, Finland and Spain.
Schedule of Official Visits by Taoiseach Abroad February-September 1992.
Country
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Dates
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Purpose
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Britain
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26-27 February
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Meetings in London with British Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party.
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Brazil
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10-15 June
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UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro and meetings with Prime Ministers of Britain, Portugal, Sweden and Malaysia and First Vice-President of Iran and others.
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Portugal
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26-27 June
|
European Council Meeting in Lisbon and meeting with British Prime Minister.
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Finland
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9-10 July
|
CSCE Summit in Helsinki and meetings with Presidents of the Ukraine, Lithuania and Slovenia, the Chancellor of Austria and the Prime Minister of Finland.
|
United States
|
12-18 September
|
Encouragement of US investment in Ireland and cultural matters.
|
Britain
|
25 September
|
Meeting with British Prime Minister.
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Spain
|
4-5 October
|
Visiting EXPO 92 in Seville. Meeting with Spanish Prime Minister in Madrid.
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