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Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore today launched a public consultation process as part of a comprehensive review of the Government’s engagement with the Irish abroad.

Launching the review, the Tánaiste said:

Engagement with our diaspora is of enormous importance for Ireland. Together, we have built economic links resulting in trade, investment and tourism. Our engagement has played an important role in efforts to bring a lasting peace to this island. It has also deepened ties of culture and kinship.

The achievements of the diaspora, both those born in Ireland and those who claim Irish heritage, have enhanced the profile and reputation of Ireland in the world, and are a source of pride to people in Ireland. We hope that our achievements here in Ireland are also a source of pride to them.

The Diaspora is diverse, encompassing those who left in recent years and the descendants of those who left 100 years ago, or more. We want to hear from all of the Irish overseas.

While many Irish have found great success overseas, for others it has been a challenging and difficult experience. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade supports those in need overseas through the Emigrant Support Programme.

We also engage with our diaspora through the Global Irish Network and the Global Irish Economic Forum.

Engagement with the Diaspora, however, is not the domain of Government alone. I know that local communities are becoming increasingly active in engaging those who left and their descendants. We also want to hear from these communities.

As part of the review the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is inviting those at home and abroad who are interested in and affected by issues of emigration, and the wider questions of engagement with the Diaspora, to contribute their views.

The consultation document, with details of how submissions should be made, can be found

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Read the full press release

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