76. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made to date by her Department in the development of an updated diaspora strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23044/26]

Sentiment score: 0.15

Like the previous speaker, I also wish Ireland well tonight and hope we will be in the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night for the next stage of it. With the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's indulgence, I will also welcome a school to the Visitor's Gallery today. The school is in my own constituency of Cork East, the national school in Coolagown, and I welcome the pupils and teachers who are there today. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made to date by her Department on the development of an updated diaspora strategy.

Sentiment score: 0.51

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I thank the Ministers for their hard work and dedication in the area that is of major importance to Ireland. The diaspora across the globe represents the very best of our country on a community, cultural, business and sporting basis. I acknowledge that the ESP is a very important support for Irish diaspora groups and has proven to be enormously popular. Almost 600 applications were received before the ESP deadline in early February. With that in mind, I ask the Minister of State when successful applications are expected to be announced and funding allocated? In addition, the recent EU trade deal with Australia and the Government action plan on market diversification with no doubt only further expand Irish communities and businesses abroad. Taking this into account, will the Minister confirm whether the Department plans to extend our diplomatic reach to new areas by opening new embassies or consulates in countries or areas in which Ireland has not previously been represented?

Sentiment score: 0.35

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He is a rugby man himself but as my colleague Deputy Neville said, the GAA is very important. What is the Department doing to promote the GAA overseas? How much money has been allocated to this in recent years? Finally, we have a very important statue in Midleton in my constituency of Cork East, which is the Kindred Spirits monument. This represents a donation by the Choctaw Nation to the people of Ireland during the Great Famine. It is a fantastic monument that showcases the very best of overseas aid and how historical partnership endures. Should the Minister of State have any availability soon, my colleague, Councillor Rory Cocking, and I would love to show him the statue in person.

Sentiment score: 0.44