Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 1

Written Answers. - Emigrants Task Force.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

28 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the membership of the task force on policy regarding emigrants; the meetings which have taken place; the topics discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3746/02]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen):

The members of the task force on policy regarding emigrants are Mr. Paddy O'Hanlon, chairman; Mr. David Begg, general secretary, ICTU; Rev. Paul Byrne, OMI, Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants; Mr. Joe Harrington, Department of the Environment and Local Government; Mr. Mahon Hayes, former legal adviser, Department of Foreign Affairs and former permanent representative to the United Nations, New York and Geneva; Professor Mary Hickman, Irish Studies Centre, University of North London – Alternate: Mr. Sean Hutton, co-ordinator of the Federation of Irish Societies in Britain; Ms Maire McCluskey, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and chairperson, Díon Committee, Irish Embassy London; Mr. Joe McDonagh, former Uachtarán, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael; Mr. Gerry Mangan, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; and Monsignor James Murray, Project Irish Outreach, New York – Alternate: Mr. Adrian Flannelly, Emerald Isle Immigration Centre, New York.

The task force held its first meeting on 12 December 2001 and has held three further meetings since then on 8 January, 22 January and 5 February.

In its discussions so far, the task force has organised its work programme and commenced substantive discussion of the issues encompassed by its terms of reference. The task force is asked to recommend a coherent, long-term policy approach to meeting the needs of emigrants, focusing in particular on the needs of young and vulnerable people, in the three areas of pre-departure services for emigrants before they leave Ireland; services to emigrants while they are abroad; and services to returning emigrants.

The task force has also launched a public consultation process to elicit the views of interested organisations and individuals at home and abroad. The aim is to ensure that the task force is fully informed on all aspects of its remit and that anyone who wishes to contribute to its delib erations has an opportunity to do so. As part of the consultation process, members of the task force will be travelling to the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia to meet with representatives of organisations providing services to Irish emigrants in those countries.

The task force has made a very good start to its work and is on course to complete its report by the middle of this year as the terms of reference request. I have asked that the report should contain a series of pragmatic recommendations which will help to improve the services provided to emigrants by official and voluntary organisations in a practical way, so that those who choose to emigrate can make their decision on an informed and considered basis and that they will have access to a wide range of support services while they are abroad and should they wish to return home.

I would like to express my appreciation to the members of the task force for the energy and commitment they have brought to their work. The establishment of the task force, and the report it produces, will send a strong signal that the welfare and concerns of our citizens abroad are being addressed in a constructive and forward-looking manner.