Community, Heritage, Business and Culture: Minister Flanagan in New York, September 2015
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD had a busy programme of engagements with the Irish and Irish American community during his visit to New York in late September.
On Sunday 27 September, the Minister visited the New York Irish Center (NYIC) in Long Island City, and joined a lively gathering of patrons and supporters, young and old.
He assured all present that the Center and its valuable services to the community had the fulsome support of the Irish Government, through the Emigrant Support Programme. The Minister spoke of being heartened to learn about the Pieta House project, which will see free support and services provided to those at risk of suicide from a NYIC-base from September onwards.
Later that day, the Minister met with Dr. John Lahey, President of Quinnipiac University; broadcaster Adrian Flannelly; and Kevin McCabe, Chief of Staff, Battery Park City Authority for a tour of the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park. The Minister said:
“This Memorial is a credit to all those who have worked on its development since the year 2000, including the Governor and State of New York and the Battery Park City Authority. It is a fitting tribute to the tragedy of the Irish Famine and to the refuge that many Irish people found here during that era.”
On Tuesday 29 September, Minister Flanagan addressed an audience of 150 international financial services professionals at a joint Enterprise Ireland/BNY Mellon showcase event. Six Irish companies took part in the event, presenting to key influencers, investors and buyers of payment technology in the North American market, while also helping to create awareness of Ireland’s strengths in this sector. In advance of the event, Minister Flanagan said:
“Through Enterprise Ireland and our diplomatic missions across the United States, the Government is giving every possible support to dynamic Irish companies as they pursue business partnerships in North America. Ireland and our entrepreneurs represent excellent business partners thanks to our position as one of Europe’s great centres for the financial services and tech sectors. As a valued partner and major investor in Ireland, BNY Mellon understands and appreciates this.”
On Thursday, 1 October, ahead of his address to the United Nations General Assembly, the Minister met over a working breakfast with leading figures from the Irish-American community in New York. The discussion focussed on the current situation in Northern Ireland and the ongoing political talks process. 2016 commemorations, prospects for US immigration reform and trade and cultural links between the US and Ireland were also discussed.
Also on Thursday, the Minister presented a W.B. Yeats Emerging Playwright Competition award, an initiative of the Consulate General of Ireland with Origin Theatre Company, supported by the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
The Minister also meet with members of the Board and Management of the Irish Arts Center to hear an update on the redevelopment plan for the Center. This was the first meeting with the Irish Arts Center since the announcement of a $1.25million grant from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Emigrant Support Programme, bringing the Irish Government contribution to $4.45million plus support in the design phase from the Irish Office for Public Works. On the importance of the Center, the Minister said:
“The Irish Arts Center is central to Irish culture in the US. The significance of having an Irish flagship presence here is clear. The Center has provided a spring board to international stardom for many Irish acts and its redevelopment will enable it to expand its important role in this regard.”
The Minister addressed the United Nations General Assembly later that day, and spoke about Irish foreign policy priorities in this Ireland’s 60th year of membership of the United Nations.