Irish emigrants and their descendants continued to play a "very important role" in the world on Ireland's behalf, according to Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern.
Mr Ahern was announcing yesterday the programme for a one-day conference called Ireland's Attitude to the Diaspora, to be held in Dublin Castle tomorrow.
The conference is intended to launch a national debate. Speakers include the newly appointed chairman of the Friends of Ireland in the US Congress, Richard Neal, who is currently leading a nine-member congressional delegation on a visit to Ireland.
Mr Ahern will deliver the opening address; other speakers include former chairman of the Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants, Paddy O'Hanlon; GAA president Nicky Brennan; Prof Terri Scott; former Belfast lord mayor Dr Ian Adamson; and journalist and author Tim Pat Coogan.
"I believe the time is right for a major review of how Ireland relates with its diaspora," Mr Ahern said yesterday. "We need to focus on building a new strategy for the years ahead."
The Minister added: "While we may be separated by water and thousand of miles from our kinsmen and women, they still continue to play a very important role for Ireland on the world stage and can have a very positive and beneficial impact on everyone living on this island."
