US/IRELAND: The establishment of the new Irish Abroad Unit in his Department was intended to bring "a new dynamic and focus" to the collective effort of government and non-government agencies on behalf of emigrants, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, writes Deaglán de Bréadún, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, in Boston.
"Nobody should be in any doubt that our commitment and our support are firm and are growing in the long term," Mr Cowen said.
The Minister was in Boston to receive the Solas (Irish for "light") award from the locally-based Irish Immigration Centre, headed by Sister Lena Deevy. The award, given primarily in recognition of the Minister's work in establishing the Irish Abroad Unit, was presented by Senator Edward Kennedy.
According to the Minister, when he took over the Foreign Affairs portfolio he saw the need for "a more structured and strategic approach" to emigration.
"Therefore I established a special task force to advise on the development of a coherent long-term policy. Its report contained many wide-ranging proposals and recommendations," he said.
"The issues of concern it identified can best be addressed by a collective effort involving government and non-
governmental agencies. With a view to introducing a new dynamic and focus to this collective effort, I have established a dedicated unit - the Irish Abroad Unit - within the Department of Foreign Affairs.
"It will work in the closest co-operation with all the agencies working with emigrants. I especially want to see the talents and experiences of those who have been involved in this area being fully harnessed for the benefit of all.
"This dedicated unit is headed by Ambassador Sean Farrell, together with his colleague, Síle Maguire."
On Northern Ireland, the Minister said that, in the Leeds Castle talks, "we very nearly got there". There had been "constructive engagement" by all, he added.
"The parties, however, still need to resolve some outstanding institutional details," the Minister said in a speech prepared for delivery at last night's ceremony.
In his own speech for the awards ceremony, Senator Kennedy said the Minister's measures on behalf of emigrants would "directly improve the lives of many Irish families here in our state [of Massachusetts]". He also praised Mr Cowen's role in the Middle East peace process and in promoting the enlargement of the European Union.