Joe Flaherty
Question:9. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for a report on the implementation of the Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28096/23]
View answerDiaspora Issues
Questions (9)
Written answers
Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025 is the cornerstone of our approach to diaspora engagement, setting out the Government’s vision for engaging with Irish diaspora communities all over the world.
The third Global Irish Civic Forum took place in Dublin Castle last April and the agenda was built around the five pillars of the Strategy - Our People, Values, Prosperity, Culture and Influence.
The feedback on the Strategy and its implementation from the more than 200 representatives of Irish diaspora organisations from 19 countries who attended the Forum was overwhelmingly positive, with contributors acknowledging the progress made under all five pillars, including in the community, culture and education spheres.
The Government’s steadfast commitment to addressing the welfare needs of our diaspora lies at the heart of the Strategy, given tangible expression through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP).
The ESP has supported communities all over the world with grants of over €220 million since 2004 and its importance was underlined once more by participants at the Forum. Particular reference was made to the Covid pandemic, when the network of ESP recipient organisations enabled us to ensure swift and effective distribution of the Government’s special €1.5m Covid Response Fund for the Irish Abroad.
My Department also supports initiatives furthering other Strategy objectives, including:
• The joint GAA-DFA Global Games Development Fund;
• Back for Business, a programme to help returning Irish emigrant entrepreneurs
• St. Brigid’s Day, the annual day of celebration of Irishwomen’s talent and creativity.
• Irish Studies programmes worldwide
The Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair in my capacity as Minister of State, coordinates implementation of the Strategy. The Committee met most recently last March and will meet again later this month to further review progress and to discuss what else might be achieved during the lifetime of the Strategy.
Questions Nos. 10 and 11 answered orally.
Presidential Elections
Questions (12)
Matt Carthy
Question:12. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the intended timeframe to hold a referendum in relation to voting rights in presidential elections. [28849/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to hold a referendum during the lifetime of this Government on the question of extending the Presidential election franchise to Irish citizens abroad.
In line with that commitment, the Government restored the Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill to the Dáil Order Paper in July 2020.
The date for the holding of the referendum will be decided once the legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas, with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage making an order setting the day upon which a referendum will take place.
Once the legislation is approved by Dail and Seanad, the timetable for the referendum will begin and the referendum must take place between 30 and 90 days after the passage of the legislation.
Such a decision will involve many considerations, including the possibility of more than one decision being submitted to the electorate.
Another decisive factor will be the level of confidence of the Government in the probable approval of the referendum. Where the Government has a choice, it will clearly, and entirely reasonably, exercise its preference for a timing which it believes will enhance the probability for support by the electorate.
The Government is continuing to reflect carefully on such questions.
Question No. 13 answered orally.