23 May 2012, 17:09
To mark Africa Day, a number of African ambassadors will attend the meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade tomorrow.
Among the ambassadors attending tomorrow’s meeting are: H.E. Ms Catherine Muigai Mwangi, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya - Dean of the African Ambassadors; H.E. Mr Anas Khales, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco; H. E. Mr Azwindini Jeremiah Nduo, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa; H.E. Mr Paramente Phamotse, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho; H.E. Mrs Lela-alem Gegreyohannes Tedia, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and H.E. Mr Felix Yusufu Pwol, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Joe Costello TD, Minister of State for Trade and Development at the Department of Foreign Affairs, will also address the Committee.
Africa Day is celebrated around the world every year on May 25th. Its aim is to celebrate African diversity and success and to highlight the cultural and economic potential that exists on the African continent.
Irish events will take place during the week from 20-27 May 2012. Events will include conferences, film screenings, concerts, schools programmes and other outreach initiatives at various locations throughout Ireland. Flagship family festival events will also take place in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick. All events are being supported by Irish Aid, in partnership with City Councils and others in each of the locations.
Committee Chairman, Pat Breen TD said: “We are delighted and honoured that so many ambassadors will attend tomorrow’s Committee meeting to mark Africa Day. It is a fantastic opportunity for the Committee to lend its support to this very important day, which aims to raise awareness and understanding of the cultural richness and diversity of Africa and to increase awareness of the many successes of the Irish Aid programme there.
Over many decades, Ireland has developed strong links with Africa, which are continuing to develop and strengthen. Africa Day provides an opportunity to recognise a maturing of our relations with Africa and with individual African countries. Many African countries and businesses are keen to foster opportunities for expanded trade and investment ties in the future, and to move towards a situation where Africa reduces its dependency on aid. In recent years, many African people have chosen Ireland as a place in which to work and live. This is an opportunity to celebrate the links forged with Africa over many years and to join with the African community here in celebrating and experiencing African culture.”
This meeting will start in Committee Room 4 at 2.15pm on Thursday, 24th May.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Pat Breen, TD (Chairman)
Eric Byrne, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, TD
Dara Murphy, TD
Gerald Nash, TD
Dan Neville, TD
Seán Ó Fearghaíl, TD
Maureen O’Sullivan, TD
Senators
Deirdre Clune,
Mark Daly,
Lorraine Higgins,
Michael Mullins,
David Norris,
Jim Walsh.