Monthly Archives: March 2014

Senator Mark Daly, the first spokesperson appointed by any political party to represent the Irish Overseas and Diaspora, last year produced his party’s policy paper regarding the Irish Overseas and Diaspora. The second edition which was updated and published this week has a number of additional proposals, “last year we called for a Minister for the Irish Overseas and the Diaspora, we now urge all parties to commit to the appoint of a minister for the Irish Overseas and Diaspora after the next general election, this will enhance Ireland’s relationship with the global Irish community. Such steps will ensure that greater attention is given to issues of concern to the Irish Overseas such as immigration reform in the United.”

Some Key Proposals of the Policy:
· Minister for the Irish Overseas and Diaspora: Appoint a Minister for the Irish Overseas and Diaspora in an existing ministry who will engage with the global Irish community in order to stimulate economic, technological, and cultural advances
· Voting Rights: Extend voting rights to citizens of the Irish Nation outside of the state, which will increase interest in Irish politics across the globe
· Diaspora Direct Investment: Foster and develop trade links with the Irish Diaspora and encourage global citizens with Irish heritage to invest in their homeland
· Citizenship: Expand the rights of Irish citizenship to the Irish Overseas and the Diaspora, which will allow the millions of citizens with Irish attachment to reestablish their ties with their ancestral homeland and formally identify themselves as Irish
· Honorary Consulars: Appoint ‘Honorary Consulars’ across the globe as advocates of Ireland and the global Irish community

New Additions to the Policy Proposal:
· Inter-Parliamentary Relations: Forge relationships and open channels of communication with other governments whose nations have a strong Irish Diaspora presence
· Birthright Program: Create an educational travel program that will bring young people with Irish heritage to Ireland to experience its culture, history, and environment
Senator Daly will continue to consult organisations involved with the Irish Overseas and Diaspora with the intention of improving and adding to this second policy proposal.
“The 70 million Irish Overseas and Diaspora need an Irish government that includes them in the democratic process and encourages them to engage with Ireland on an economic, political, and cultural level,” said Senator Daly. “From expanding voting rights to citizens outside the state and increasing trade links with the Irish Diaspora, to opening channels of communication between governments and attracting international students to Irish universities, there are many measures that can – and should – be taken to embrace global citizens with ties to Ireland.”

Here is the link to the full policy proposal:
Policy Proposal for the Irish Overseas and Diaspora