Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 6

Written Answers. - US Investment Conference on Ireland.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

19 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the person or persons who will attend the Washington Conference in May 1995, on behalf of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3719/95]

Mary Harney

Ceist:

36 Miss Harney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of Government representation that is planned for the United States Investment Conference on Ireland on 18 May and 19 May 1995; the desired outcome of the Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1885/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Question Nos. 19 and 36 together.

The US Conference on Trade and Investment in Ireland will be held in Washington on the 24-26 May 1995.

The conference is the major feature of a package of US economic initiatives to support the peace process which President Clinton announced last November.These initiatives are aimed at providing tangible US support, in the new context created by peace, for the political and economic revitalisation of Northern Ireland and the Southern Border counties.

Deputies may be assured that our representation will be at very senior political level and I would expect to lead the Irish delegation myself. We expect that the conference, which will be addressed by President Clinton, will be a highly prestigious and influential event in terms of mobilising concrete US support for the peace process. Increased US investment North and South will be of enormous benefit to the economies in both parts of the island and will help to repair the damage done by the years of violence and turmoil in Northern Ireland. The conference should demonstrate to US companies the dramatically improved business opportunities which now exist in both parts of Ireland.