Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014
68. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he intends to incorporate the recently announced Diaspora policy review by his Department into the review of foreign affairs and external relations; if they will be exclusive of each other when the policy documents and-or White Papers are published in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16490/14]
View answerAt the Third Global Irish Economic Forum, which took place in October 2013, I announced that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade would undertake a comprehensive review of our Diaspora policy to examine all elements of our engagement with the Irish abroad.
That review is now underway. As part of the review, on 18th March, I launched a public consultation. The consultation paper is available on my Department's website. I would encourage as many individuals and groups as possible who have an interest in the area to submit contributions, in order that we can draw on the public’s views, knowledge and experience in considering future policy.
Ireland's embassies and consulates around the world have circulated the consultation document to Irish communities in their countries and areas of accreditation, to help broaden the base of submissions.
As indicated in the consultation paper, among the issues that will be considered in the review are:
- Identifying the trends in the ongoing development of the Diaspora
- Understanding the needs of different emigrant and Diaspora communities overseas and how to respond to these. These include new emigrants, the undocumented in the US and ageing emigrant communities.
- The role of the Diaspora in social and economic development in Ireland.
- The continued importance and role of the Diaspora for peace on this island.
- The status, rights and entitlements of emigrants and returning emigrants.
- How the Government can best connect with the Irish abroad.
Of course my Department is open to receiving views on all aspects of the Government's engagement and relationship with the Diaspora, beyond what is covered in this list.
It is intended that this review will be complementary to the wider Review of Foreign Policy and External Relations being conducted by my Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It will allow Diaspora issues to be considered in greater depth and in more operational terms. Submissions made under the Foreign Policy Review which reference Diaspora and emigration-related issues will be made available to the Diaspora policy review team as a matter of course and will be taken fully into account.
