Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
432. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that Ireland is advocating sufficiently with the United States of America administration in relation to Irish issues; if his attention has been drawn to recent comments by an organisation (details supplied) on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4273/22]
View answerIreland's relationship with the United States has been of critical importance for successive Governments and continues to be an important priority for the current Government. The key priorities and objectives for this relationship are set out in the Government's United States and Canada Strategy 2019-2025. Under this strategy, we have reinforced our network of eight offices across the US, including opening a new Consulate General in Los Angelus in 2018 and the opening in summer 2022 of a new Consulate General in Miami.
We have a broad range of priorities in our relations with the United States including: high level political engagement, in particular in support of the peace process in Northern Ireland; economic promotion; and in support of our citizens and the broader Irish American diaspora.
There is ongoing advocacy and engagement at every level with the US administration and political leaders. During his St. Patrick's Day virtual visit last year, the Taoiseach raised a number of priority issues directly with President Biden, including the need to identify immigration pathways. I also advocated strongly on a number of important issues, including on Brexit and Northern Ireland and on immigration, at meetings on Capitol Hill on my most recent visit to Washington D.C. These high level engagements will continue as we maintain close relations with Members of the US Congress, and as we seek opportunities to deepen and strengthen our bilateral relations with President Biden's Administration.
Our Embassy in Washington D.C. is actively engaged across the political spectrum in the US, meeting regularly with both Members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate on a bipartisan basis. The efforts of the Embassy have been instrumental in ensuring consistent priority and support at the highest political level to protect peace on the island. They also continue to work towards finding innovative solutions and immigration pathways to address the challenges faced by the undocumented Irish in the US.
Through our Embassy in Washington, D.C., as well as our Consulates across the US, my Department works closely in support of Irish and Irish American groups across the United States. These include a wide breadth of organisations who support the Irish and Irish American communities in many ways. Engagement in support of our diaspora community in the US is a key platform for the delivery of our Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025.
The Government continues to provide support and significant annual funding through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme to the US Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, which provides support to Irish citizens, in particular to the undocumented Irish who are seeking to regularise their status. Last year, in response to the pandemic, a dedicated COVID-19 Response Fund for Irish Communities Abroad was set up to help these organisations meet the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable. In 2021, over €4.2m was paid to diaspora organisations in the US for emigrant support and Covid-19 related projects.
In relation to the named organisation, the Embassy in Washington DC and our network of Consulates, all work closely with this organisation, and are engaging actively with its membership. The Ambassador recently received an award from its Washington chapter in recognition of the Embassy’s work in support of Irish America. There is a longstanding history of cooperation with them on Irish issues. We will continue to support and engage with this organisation and other Irish community groups, to support the needs of Irish citizens and our diaspora community in the US.
