Irish abroad have played ‘major role’ in economic recovery

Irish people around the world have played a "major role" in Ireland's economic recovery, Minister for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan has said.

Speaking at the Global Diaspora and Development Forum in Dublin this morning, Mr Deenihan said the country was “on a pathway to recovery”, and the “diaspora has played a major role in helping us to make that recovery”.

“We suffered considerable reputational damage because of the collapse of our banking system and the collapse of our economy, and it was people in places like Manhattan and around the world where huge decisions had to be made… [WHO]were key figures in repairing our image abroad,” he said.

The Global Irish Economic Network, comprised of over 350 senior Irish and Irish-connected business people from around the world, has "provided Ireland with an invaluable resource of international expertise which contributes to our economic recovery", he said.

The network, set up in 2010 to share knowledge and advise the Government on economic matters, has assisted with trade missions and participated in tourism, education and agri-food initiatives which have contributed greatly to Ireland’s economic growth.

“They have had a direct role in job creation in Ireland, and I’m not sure there is a better way to support your country,” Mr Deenihan said.

Although the diaspora is “an undisputed resource” for Ireland, the country also has a “significant responsibility” towards its communities abroad, he said, which the Government “takes very seriously”.

The emigrant support programme, operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs, has provided more than €110 million to support frontline welfare and community organisations for Irish people worldwide since 2004.

Following a similar format to the Global Irish Economic Forum, the Government is planning a gathering of these welfare and community organisations in Dublin early next year to share knowledge and experience.

He said diaspora engagement must be a “two-way process”.

“It is not a question of what our diaspora can do for us. It is a question of what can we do together, to ensure a vibrant global community, with benefit flowing in all directions.”

Addressing the conference by video link, former US president Bill Clinton said diasporas are becoming more and more important "in our interdependent and increasingly complex world".

“Our borders seem to look more like nets than walls, and our ability to connect with people half a world away is greater than ever,” he said.

“From advancing gender equality to promoting volunteerism, diasporas can drive a positive and enduring change.”

Director of UCD's Clinton Institute Liam Kennedy said diasporas have an impact on many areas of development including investment, trade, skills and knowledge transfer, tourism, conflict transformation and humanitarian support.

“An engaged diaspora can be an asset - it can give us access to networks, human and financial capital that can be valuable resources in development practice,” he said.

“More needs to be done to understand these impacts, and identify the role of policy in optimising diaspora engagement for development.”

Kingsley Aikins of Diaspora Matters, a Dublin-based consultancy which advises governments on diaspora policy, said Ireland had a “fantastic reputation” for providing aid to Africa, and “the next phase of our missionary work is to teach and train African countries to connect with their diasporas”.