Pat Rabbitte
Question:3 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the purpose and the outcome of his visit to the United States; the number of official engagements he undertook; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Taoiseach's US Visit.
Donal Carey
Question:4 Mr. Carey asked the Taoiseach if any portion of the cost of his most recent trip to the United States was paid for by his party rather than by the Government in view of the party political fund-raising element in his itinerary.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
The principal objectives of my visit to the United States from 20 to 26 April were; to promote manufacturing investment, financial services development and increased trade and tourism investment; to hold discussions with Irish American opinion formers in relation to Northern Ireland, and to assess at first hand the present situation of Irish emigrants in the US and how our efforts on their behalf are progressing. I see job creation following from the meetings I had in Boston and New York on manufacturing, financial services, trade and tourism projects as the key reason for my visit. In both Boston and New York, accompanied by senior IDA personnel, I met executives of a number of US corporations that are considering establishing plants in Ireland or are planning to expand their existing operations here. Owing to the extremely keen competition for such investment, I do not consider it appropriate to list the names of the companies in question or any other particulars that could adversely affect a positive outcome. Indeed, this keen competition underlines the necessity for this visit and for further similar visits by me and by Government Ministers. The reality of international competition for scarce new jobs through mobile investment is that contact at senior Government level plays an increasingly key part in securing new projects. It is also essential to ensure that rationalisation following in particular from the EC Single Market does not adversely affect us. I found the meetings I had to be of potentially great benefit to Ireland.
In Boston, I met some of the most prominent representatives of the Boston-Irish business community. Again, I availed of the opportunity to emphasise the competitive advantages of Ireland as a location for overseas investment. I launched the Centre for Irish Management at Boston College. The centre constitutes a new structure through which the Development of Entrepreneurs in Boston for Ireland programme, known as DEBI, and a range of new programmes will be administered. The DEBI programme — which is largely financed by the International Fund for Ireland — brings young entrepreneurs from Ireland, North and South, to Boston for a four-month period during which they receive tuition at the School of Management and pursue a corporate placement in a firm which relates to their particular business interest. Therefore the centre will give these young people an opportunity to experience American business at first hand while, at the same time, giving them complementary academic training.
I officially opened Ireland House at New York University. Ireland House joins a small and select group of national houses at the University. I am confident that the comprehensive programme of Irish studies and events which are planned for there will become an important resource for Irish academic and cultural activities in New York. It will undoubtedly enhance the cultural, artistic and academic links between Ireland and the United States. The university conferred on me an honorary degree for which I am deeply grateful. The ceremony also included the conferral of Presidential Medals on eight prominent Irish people.
It is important at this juncture in the Northern Ireland situation to outline clearly and discuss constructively the Irish Government's position with opinion formers in the American-Irish community. I did this at two levels, through meetings with individuals such as Mayor Flynn and Cardinal Law of Boston and through interviews broadcast at a national level in the United States. In meeting Mayor Flynn, who has recently been nominated to be the US Ambassador to the Holy See, I also used the occasion to convey the Government's deepest appreciation to him for his commitment to Ireland, to the Irish community in the United States and to extend our best wishes to him in his new position. I discussed with him a proposal partly sponsored by Boston Ireland Ventures and the International Fund for Ireland to provide training and work experience for 300 unemployed young people from the inner cities of Dublin and Belfast in Boston. I also had occasion to meet former Congressman Brian Donnelly and Congressman Bruce Morrison, and to thank them publicly for their part in initiating legislation, which will have enabled about 70,000 young Irish people to gain legal status over the past four years, when the current programme is complete.
While in Boston, I addressed a group of about 100 Irish emigrants most of whom were recent arrivals. Also present at this function were representatives from two of the principal immigrant advice organisations there — the Irish Pastoral Centre and the Irish Immigration Centre. I thought it appropriate that their service on behalf of our emigrants should be formally acknowledged by me. I was greatly encouraged by their commitment and dedication as exemplified by their plans to hold a major jobs fair for Irish immigrants in late May. In New York, I presided at the official opening of a second centre for the Emerald Isle Immigration Group in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx which has a large Irish-born population. Again, I was most pleased to formally express the Government's deep appreciation of the very valuable work being carried out by this and other like-minded organisations in New York. I also gave an interview to the Irish Ethnic Media there which covered a range of issues of particular concern to our emigrants.
In addition to the functions I have mentioned, I addressed the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on the topic "Ireland in Post-Maastricht Europe". This was followed by a question and answer session on various foreign relations issues as well as a recorded radio interview for extensive transmission. The Council is the leading US forum in New York for the discussion of foreign affairs. I attended a reception hosted by the County Roscommon Association of New York. I paid a courtesy call on the opening of the National Gallery Exhibition of Early Masters Paintings in New York.
What did the Taoiseach have for his breakfast?
If the Deputy wants the details he will get them. In New York I unveiled a plaque where Eamon de Valera lived for the first two years of his life as part of a function hosted by the American-European Community Association. I unveiled a signpost in lower Manhattan proclaiming "Drumgoole Square" in honour of Father John Drumgoole, an Irish priest — Deputies opposite appear to laugh at the achievements of Father John Drumgoole — who devoted his life to the most needy and vulnerable in the society of his time. Deputies opposite are embarrassed now for having tabled the question. I aunched the promotion of the Cobh Heritage Centre — maybe Deputy O'Keeffe will laugh at that too — in the US which should prove to be a major tourist attraction, particularly for Americans of Irish ancestry.
The Taoiseach should go to Disneyland the next time.
At his own expense.
Yes, the next time if I get an opportunity. The total cost of the visit will not be determined for some time. I availed of a long-standing invitation to attend two Fianna Fáil night functions, one each in Boston and New York. In all I attended 25 functions over a period of five days.
I was beginning to feel sorry I put down this question.
A Deputy
We all were.
Half way through the answer I was getting weary. First, it would be appropriate for me to congratulate the Taoiseach on being conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Law. Would he agree that it would help dispel public apprehension that this was primarily a Fianna Fáil fund raising junket, and that those other meetings were merely window dressing put together to justify the State paying for it, if he could be more forthcoming and tell us the names of those companies which promised to invest in Ireland, how many jobs they are likely to create and how they are to be created?
Despite Deputy Rabbitte's best efforts, despite being aided and abetted by other Members, to refer to two night functions out of an itinerary of 25 functions and try to present them as being the main purpose of the visit will not wash. If Deputy Rabbitte is suggesting that meeting industrialists in Boston and New York, attending a meeting on future exchanges in New York to try to get an associate of that institution to come to the Financial Services Centre and wants to treat those and other cultural and tourism aspects as irrelevant he will fail dismally in his task to try to misrepresent the purpose of that visit.
I am very disappointed with the Taoiseach's reply. This is the second occasion on which the Taoiseach has had an opportunity to reply to a question like this and has treated it trivially. The Taoiseach paid a visit to the United States and had an opportunity to brief the press and the public. So far as the people here are concerned all that was presented on the media was the two Fianna Fáil functions. From where did the Taoiseach get the power to decide to visit New York for two Fianna Fáil functions when he cannot ascribe the expenses incurred by his Office to the Fianna Fáil fund raising events? Surely there should be some charge to his party in view of the fact that he spent so much time courting subscribers to his party?
It is despicable to try to misrepresent a visit which had so many important aspects to it so far as the Irish nation is concerned. I do not know where Deputy Carey was during that period. I understand my visit was dealt with adequately in the national media and on radio and television. I have no apologies to offer to Deputy Carey. Surely three and a half pages of a reply is adequate.
It is good for the one page man.
This question was tabled two weeks ago but, because some Opposition Members wanted to go to the international match last Wednesday, they decided to bring these questions forward. Will the Deputy explain that to the Irish people instead of going on with some of this nonsense? The general secretary of Fianna Fáil, who is the principal organiser, travelled out at his own expense and any expense that was to be met by the party has been met.
I join in congratulating the Taoiseach on the conferring of a doctorate of law degree on him. The Taoiseach mentioned that when he was in America he accepted two long-standing invitations to attend Fianna Fáil fund raising functions. If the Taoiseach could tell the House when he received those invitations it would afford the House and the general public a better way of assessing the merits of his reply.
They were received last September.
(Limerick East): When the Taoiseach last visited the United States there was widespread concern among industrialists here that the Clinton administration would recoup the tax advantage which applies to American subsidiaries in Ireland by requiring them to pay domestically the difference between our 10 per cent rate and the rate that applies in the United States. Will the Taoiseach inform the House if there are any developments or progress he would like to report arising from his visit to Boston?
The Deputy is raising a very specific matter worthy of a separate question.
(Limerick East): The Taoiseach wants to reply.
Deputy Deenihan is offering.
(Limerick East): There was a three and a half page answer. The Taoiseach talked about meetings with industrialists. This is the key issue in industrial policy in so far as it applies to American inward mobile investment and I think my question is in order.
It is a specific matter worthy of a separate question.
(Limerick East): It arises directly from this issue.
At the opening of the Emerald Isle Immigration Centre the Taoiseach promised Irish immigrant groups that he would ensure they would receive immediate substantial funding from the Government. When will that funding be forthcoming? Will it be this year or will it be included in the Estimates for next year?
The specific matter of funding is being raised.
It is relevant. It arises from the Taoiseach's reply.
I would prefer the matter to be raised separately.
It deserves an answer.
In view of the Taoiseach's recent conversion to three and a half page documents in reply to questions in this House, would he accept that there was a simple one word reply to Deputy Carey's question and that was "no"?
The Deputy was not listening too well. To cover 25 functions to the satisfaction of the Opposition would demand a little more than one word.
Let me ask the Taoiseach and, in particular, the Labour Party members of the Government what concept of ethics in Government allows the Taoiseach to travel exclusively at the taxpayers' expense to the United States of America to raise funds for one of the political parties in Government? Is that consonant with the Labour Party's view of what is ethical and impartial as tar as the use of taxpayers' money is concerned?
Where is the partnership now?
What is wrong with Deputy Bruton and a few others is that attempts by themselves and, indeed, by the other party making up the main Opposition, were unsuccessful in pulling together strong support for their parties in the United States and consequently there may be a little sour grapes because one party can do it very successfully. It is not the first time it has been done and Deputy Bruton knows that quite well.
This was a brazen abuse of public funds.
The Deputy's question has been answered adequately. I will hear one further question and then I will call Deputy Harney.
Would the Taoiseach agree that it is an abuse of his position to use the executive jet, which is paid for exclusively by the taxpayer, to go to America to raise funds for his political party without that party making any contribution to the cost of the trip? That is something that is not available to any other party in this House and is contrary to the whole concept of ethics in Government.
That is what has you in Opposition.
Let me begin by congratulating the Taoiseach on having a doctorate of Law conferred on him. Does he intend to use it? Let me further ask him if the fund raising effort was successful or had some of the events to be cancelled?
There were only two fund raising events which had been arranged for quite some time and both were very successful. We would always like them to be more successful. In reply to the other part of the Deputy's question, I can tell that I will use that experience every day of the week.
Mr. Burke
I noted from the Taoiseach's extensive reply that he had meetings with former Congressman Mr. Brian Donnelly and with Congressman Morrison in relation to the question of visas. Did he receive any assurances on the continued availability of visas to our young people who desire to go to the States?
It is expected that when the present Morrison visa programme is completed almost 70,000 will have been accommodated and it is expected that there will be an ongoing programme in some form.
I will call three Deputies if they will be very brief.
It is my question——
The Deputy had a good innings.
——and I have sat here very peaceably. I would ask you to allow me one supplementary.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply to Deputy Harney's supplementary question let me ask you, a Cheann Comhairle, for guidance as to the correct and proper mode of address to the Taoiseach from now on.
These matters are prescribed in our Standing Orders. Members of this House shall be referred to by their appropriate title — Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister, Minister of State, Deputy and so on.
Is the Taoiseach of the opinion that his visit to the United States was influential in terms of attracting investment to the country and, if so, why did he not use that influence on the Digital issue?
That is a separate matter.
That is a totally irrelevant and separate matter. I am strongly of the opinion that it was influential and the results will be seen in due course.
I want to raise one brief issue as to when arrangements were made——
I am sorry, Deputies, but we have spent long enough on these questions.