THE clock is ticking for groups and individuals in Britain to have their say in Irish Government policy for citizens living abroad.
With just four days to go, Senator Mark Daly has hit out at the lack of a Diaspora Minister in Ireland – a practice he says is commonplace in other countries.
“A Minister for the Irish Overseas and Diaspora should form an integral part of the Irish Government’s new foreign affairs policy,” he added.
“Ireland is one of the few countries with such a large Diaspora community that doesn’t have a minister. This situation needs to be rectified.”
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs is currently coming to the end of a public consultation process, where groups and organisations living overseas were invited to have their say on what Ireland's future foreign policy and goals should be.
The deadline for submissions is next week on February 4. They can be made in writing to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 79-80 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 or by email to [email protected].
Senator Daly, Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on the Irish Overseas and Diaspora, is calling on the Irish in Britain to take part.
A Fianna Fáil Diaspora policy paper launched last year included proposals for the appointment of a Minister for the Irish Overseas, voting rights for Irish citizens living outside of the state and expanded citizenship rights.
