The Minister for the Diaspora, Joe McHugh T.D. is today visiting London to meet with members of the Irish community as part of his first official visit to the UK following his appointment.
The Minister’s visit also forms part of a programme of ministerial engagements aimed at encouraging Irish citizens living and working in the UK who are eligible to vote in next week’s EU referendum to exercise their right to vote.
Over the course of his visit, the Minister will meet with “Irish in Britain”, the representative body for the Irish community in Britain, and will visit the London Irish Centre where he will attend the Centre’s Wednesday Lunch Club.
Minister McHugh will also speak at an event taking place in Camden Town Hall entitled ‘The Past, The Present and The Future’ which will also be addressed by former President of Ireland, Professor Mary McAleese.
Speaking ahead of his visit Minister McHugh said:
“I am very much looking forward to my first visit to Britain in my capacity as Minister for the Diaspora. The Irish community in Britain is unique, not only in terms of its size but also its diversity.
“Our community in Britain encompasses every demographic and is represented in every walk of life. I am looking forward to meeting representatives of this vibrant and diverse community, to thank them for their immense contribution to Ireland and to hear their views and concerns.
“I am very conscious that my visit comes at a particularly important moment for our community in Britain, with the EU referendum taking place next week. I would like to use my visit to highlight the Irish perspective and to urge all of those eligible to vote to exercise that right on 23 June”.
Minister McHugh will conclude his visit by attending the launch of the 5th GAA All Britain Championships in the Irish Embassy this evening. This tournament, which will take place from 7-10 July, will involve over 100 teams from schools and GAA Clubs all over England, Scotland, and Wales.
ENDS
Press Office
14 June 2016
Note for Editors:
The most recent information on the Irish Government’s position on the EU referendum, including remarks by Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny can be viewed here: http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/EU-UK/
Minister McHugh’s visit to London is one of several visits being organised as part of a programme of engagements to be undertaken in Britain by the Irish Government in advance of the 23 June referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU.
Irish citizens resident in the UK, over 18, are entitled to register to vote in the EU referendum. Registration closed on 9 June – a 48 hour extension of the original deadline.