Courtesy of the Consulate General of Ireland 
Special to The Irish American Post

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., received the Report of the Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants from its Chairman, Mr. Paddy O'Hanlon.

Welcoming the report, the Minister said
"The completion of this Report fulfills the commitment in the Program for Prosperity and Fairness to address the special needs of Irish emigrants abroad who are particularly marginalized or at risk of exclusion by establishing a Task Force to develop a coherent, long-term approach to our emigrants and their needs.

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Chairman and his colleagues for the energy and commitment they have brought to their work. In less than eight months, they have produced a comprehensive and stimulating Report which highlights the complex and varied issues affecting Irish people abroad.

"The Report contains many detailed recommendations which I will be considered carefully by relevant Government Departments. I hope that this Report will mark the start of a new approach to relations between Irish people at home and abroad.

"I agree with the Task Force that we owe a great debt to our emigrants and that we must acknowledge the enormous contribution they have made to the development of our country.

"The report makes clear that, while emigration from Ireland has declined considerably in recent years, a substantial number of people continue to leave this country every year, in many cases without adequate preparation to meet the challenges they face abroad. I share the view of the Task Force that we need to help our vulnerable emigrants who need assistance.

I also welcome the emphasis in the Report on recognizing and valuing the contributions made by Irish people abroad in their adopted countries, and on helping those who wish to maintain and express their Irish identity."

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Brian Cowen, T.D., received the Report of the Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants in Dublin on Aug. 28. The commitment to establish the Task Force was included in the Program for Prosperity and Fairness. The Task Force was formed in December 2001 with a mandate to recommend a coherent long-term policy approach to emigration and meeting the needs of emigrants. The terms of reference of the Task Force covered all aspects of emigration including pre-departure services for emigrants, services overseas, and services for returning emigrants.

The Task Force undertook a public consultation process and invited submissions from interested organizations or individuals on any aspect of its terms of reference. A Task Force delegation visited the United States in February of this year and met with a number of immigration advice organizations in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco in order to seek the views of those actively engaged in assisting Irish immigrants in the United States.

Task Force Members:

Paddy O'Hanlon (Chairman).
Rev. Paul Byrne O.M.I., Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants
David Begg, General Secretary, ICTU
Joe McDonagh, Former President of the GAA Prof. Mary Hickman, Irish Studies Centre, University of North London
Sean Hutton, Coordinator of the Federation of Irish Societies in Britain
Msgr. James Murray, Project Irish Outreach, New York
Adrian Flannelly, Emerald Isle Immigration Centre, New York
Mahon Hayes, Former Legal Adviser, D/Foreign Affairs
Gerry Mangan, Dept. Social, Community and Family Affairs
Joe Harrington, Dept. Environment and Local Government (Voluntary & cooperative housing division)
Maire McCluskey, Chairperson Dion Committee (Irish Embassy London), Dept. Enterprise, Trade and Employment