Martin Launches Ireland-U.S. Leadership Council

Last Friday, Minister Micheál Martin, T.D., initiated the first step of a crucially important element of the implementation of the Strategic Review of Ireland-US relations, when he chaired the inaugural meeting of the Ireland-US Leadership Council.

The Council reflects the enormous importance to Ireland of Irish America and will tackle the key challenge of harnessing and protecting the very special relationship between Ireland and the United States.

The Minister briefed the meeting on the very successful Global Irish Forum recently held in Farmleigh in Dublin.

At their first meeting, the Council members considered their remit in a broad perspective, how they and their organisations can concretely contribute both to bringing Ireland and the U.S. closer together, as well as how they might address the needs of the Irish emigrant community in the U.S.

In his remarks to the meeting, Minister Martin sketched out his initial thoughts on how the Council might develop. He invited the Council's members to give further consideration to the most important issues facing the Irish in America and develop appropriate proposals as to how these might be brought forward.

The Council members echoed one of key cross-sectoral themes that emerged at the Farmleigh Forum which recognised the importance of culture in promoting Ireland abroad and developing a unique brand for the country in the US.

There was widespread concern expressed about the difficulties facing the undocumented. Minister Martin outlined his substantive and positive contacts on the issue with US Senators and members of the House on Capitol Hill on October 14.

The Council's membership is representative of a broad range of the Irish and Irish-American community across the United States. The Council will endeavour to reflect the widest possible range of input and views.

Delegates at the inaugural meeting came from economic, social, political and cultural organisations from all regions of the U.S. including representatives from Houston to Chicago and from New York to San Francisco.