Vol. 428 No. 1
65 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if any additional employment has been promised, or investment committed, as a result of the meeting the Taoiseach had in September 1992 with 50 Irish American business leaders in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
128 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the membership of the recently established Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board; the functions this board will perform; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 65 and 128 together.
The USA is Ireland's second largest trading partner and largest source of foreign investment. Following his visit to the United States in September 1992 the Taoiseach established the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board to avail, in a structured manner, of the advice and expertise of leading Irish-Americans in the business world. The Board, which at present has 22 members, includes some of the most successful Presidents, Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of companies in the United States.
The Board will act as a think-tank and I expect it to come up with advice and new thinking on policy in areas such as inward investment, export development and tourist strategy. It is envisaged that it will meet about three or four times a year, with either a Member of the Cabinet or the Ambassador to the United States in the Chair. The first meeting was held at our Embassy in Washington on 12 November 1992. The Taoiseach chaired the Board's second meeting in Washington on St. Patrick's Day.
