Cookies on the DFA website

We use cookies to give the best experience on our site while also complying with Data Protection requirements. Continue without changing your settings, and you'll receive cookies, or change your cookie settings at any time.

Continue
Skip to main content

Irish-connected parliamentarians from around the world visit Dublin, 2 September 2015

44 Irish-connected political representatives from Australia, Canada, France, the UK and the USA attended the first-ever Global Irish Parliamentarians’ Forum in Dublin. The two day programme gave participants a number of opportunities to connect with each other and Irish Government contacts.

The highlight of the programme was a special session in the Dáil chamber, chaired by the Leas Ceann Comhairle. Following a welcome from Minister of State for Diaspora Affairs. Jimmy Deenihan T.D., the Tánaiste, Joan Burton T.D., addressed the delegates and spoke about Ireland’s experience of migration.

Delegates were then invited to share their personal connections with Ireland and discuss how the Forum could best promote and protect Irish interests overseas. Belfast-born Philippa Whitford, MP for Central Ayrshire, commented: ‘many of the challenges we face are exactly the same north or south of the border, whether in Great Britain or here, and I hope we can contribute to tackling those challenges’.

The session also highlighted the diversity of the Irish diaspora. ‘I am really pleased to be here as a Geordie Irish Nigerian’ said Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne central, while Brendan O’Connor MP recounted his journey from Tralee to the Australian House of Representatives.

Speaking at the event Minister Deenihan thanked delegates for their ‘heartfelt contributions and extraordinary sense of connection with Ireland’.

Delegates also received a briefing on recent economic developments from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan T.D., as well as a presentation on the Government’s plans to commemorate 1916, including the many events which will take place around the world. Congressman Brendan Boyle, currently the only member of the US Congress with an Irish-born parent, thanked the Irish Government ‘for reminding us what a success story Ireland is’.

Forum participants were also given the opportunity to take part in a range of cultural activities, including guided tours of the GAA Museum at Croke Park, the Book of Kells and Stephenstown Pond Nature Park in Dundalk, a project which is supported by the International Fund for Ireland.