Remarks by the Taoiseach at the Launch of Global Irish– Ireland’s Diaspora Policy Tuesday, 3 March, 2015, Government Press Centre

It is a pleasure to be here today to launch Global Irish– Ireland’s Diaspora Policy.

I am particularly pleased to be launching this policy document at a time in this country when we are securing our recovery, and Ireland has reclaimed its place in the world.

In the long history of this small country there has never been such an unprecedented challenge foisted upon the Irish people, nor such an extraordinary opportunity.
The economic crash saw the Irish Diaspora connect together in a way that has never been possible before. A tiny Atlantic island with 70 million family members, all stretching out their hand to support.

Of course, the economic fortunes of this country have always been a determining factor in the size of Ireland’s Diaspora, with many having to leave these shores.

Since we came into office, this Government has been working determinedly to turn that story around. The economy is starting to recover, thanks to the resilience of the Irish people.

Our key focus for this year is to ensure that more people – throughout the country – start to benefit through more jobs or improved income.

We also want people to be able to come home. Emigration has a devastating impact on our economy as we lose the input of people of talent and energy. We need these people at home. And we will welcome them.

I want to see them playing their part in the rebuilding of our economy, bringing home their experience to take up some of the jobs that are now being created.

I believe that, after 7 years of emigration, 2016 will be the year when the number of our people coming home will be greater than the numbers who leave.

Through the Global Irish Economic Forum, we have also been able to bring leading influencers together to work on the shared objective of bolstering Ireland’s recovery.

The Network was established in a very specific context, at a time of deep crisis. As our economy recovers, it is timely to consider the longer term objectives and focus of such a committed and influential international network as we plan the next Forum, which I’m pleased to announce will take place on November 19th to 21st this year.

We must endeavour to ensure mutual benefits for Ireland and our committed family.

And as our Irish family stretches out across the world, it is important that welfare remains very much at the heart of our work.

We will continue to support vulnerable members of the Irish communities abroad through our Embassy network and through projects and initiatives funded by the Emigrant Support Programme.

This new Policy focuses also on reinforcing our cultural bonds with those who left Ireland and those of Irish heritage globally – through the power of our art, music, literature and our national sports.

The Irish culture, spirit and resilience is never more apparent than when we look towards St. Patrick’s Day.

The Irish people are and have always been a people of the light.

Our national day comes at a time when the earth turns towards the light at the Spring Equinox.

Ireland has made its departure. There is no going back.

A people always capable and always ready.

And for all we re-build in politics or finance or economics, we know that our real wealth is in the bond of love and kindness of our family, and of insight and understanding of our friends – at home and abroad.

And to recognise the importance of this relationship, I appointed Jimmy Deenihan as Ireland’s first Minister for Diaspora Affairs last July.

Making that appointment in the Department of the Taoiseach as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade puts the Diaspora right at the heart of government business.
I want to congratulate Minister Deenihan for all the hard work that he has done in working with our Irish communities abroad and stakeholders here at home.

Conclusion
The five million voices of this small nation is hugely amplified by the seventy million around the globe who are Irish by birth or descent or desire.

From the deep economic challenge our country faced just 4 years ago, we have brought together our extended family.

This policy will ensure those bonds will never be broken.