A new approach to relations between Irish people at home and abroad was needed, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, and he hoped the publication of a new task force report on emigration would mark the start of this.
The Minister was speaking at the launch of Ireland and the Irish Abroad: Report of the Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants. The Government established the task force last December to fulfil an undertaking in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to address the needs of marginalised Irish emigrants.
The task force was chaired by the former SDLP politician and Stormont MP, Mr Paddy O'Hanlon and its membership included the general secretary of the ICTU, Mr David Begg, the director of the Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants, Rev Paul Byrne, the former diplomat, Mr Mahon Hayes, and the prominent Irish broadcaster in New York, Adrian Flannelly.
The report, delivered to the Minister yesterday, recommends an increase in the level of official funding for emigrant services: "A figure of €18 million is proposed for 2003, building to €34 million in 2005." It also urges the establishment of a new "Agency for the Irish Abroad", under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs, "to co-ordinate the provision of services for Irish emigrants and Irish communities abroad".
The report defines the "Irish abroad" as, "Irish-born people who have emigrated but also people of Irish descent who wish to express their Irish cultural identity and heritage".
It recommends the adoption of "a strategic and integrated approach to meeting the needs of the Irish abroad which includes policy objectives, an action plan and the necessary structures and resources to achieve these ends".
Asked if the report would gather dust, without being implemented, Mr Cowen replied:"It is my intention that the report will not gather dust."
On the issue of funding, he said, "It is important to point out that there is a huge amount of money being spent by Government in a whole range of Departments and I think what this task force report is helping us to do is bring some focus and priority to the needs of Irish emigrants." Now that the report had been presented to him, he had to "discuss matters with relevant Government Ministers" and "input this into the Estimates process".
He added, "It is not an issue that is going to be resolved in the next few months, this is a long-term strategy which is not, let me say, code for deferral of taking policy initiatives." The ultimate decision on, for example, the establishment of a new agency for emigrants under his Department would be a matter for the Government, he said.
"We owe a great debt of gratitude to our emigrants who have done so much to help build our country," Mr Cowen told reporters at Iveagh House. The time had come to develop a new approach to meeting the needs of our emigrants, particularly the most vulnerable. "The report contains many detailed recommendations which will be considered carefully by relevant Government Departments. At this stage, obviously, I cannot comment in detail on the recommendations and some time will be required to examine them in detail."
While praising the work of successive governments, he said it was "clear that more needs to be done". He added: "I share the view of the task force that we need to help our vulnerable emigrants who need assistance." He also agreed with the need for more extensive pre-departure information and advice for intending emigrants. And while there were still emigrants who needed welfare assistance, there was a growing number who had achieved success in their adopted countries.
The full text of the Report of the Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants is available on The Irish Times website at: www.ireland.com