Deputy Irish leader Eamon Gilmore is in New York this week to attend the United Nations General Assembly. As part of his foreign mission he met with Dr Richard Haass, the newly appointed peace envoy to Northern Ireland on Friday.

Speaking after the meeting Gilmore said they were committed to making progress on the major difficulties.

"Dr Haass and his team have the full support of the Irish government in the task that lies ahead," he said.

He added: "I was very glad to hear first hand from Dr Haass his considered view on the talks process which began last week in Belfast, and to get his assessment of the way forward.”

On Friday morning the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade took part in a live Twitter chat moderated by Irish business woman Margaret Molloy from the Consulate General offices on Park Avenue.

During the Twitter exchange the Labour leader answered questions on an array of topics including the Irish economy, immigration reform and the tourism initiative The Gathering.

Check out his comments delivered via tweets below:

On the Peace Process

Northern Ireland is a far better place that it was even 5 years ago EG #GilmoreinNY

Richard Haass brings enormous skill and experience. Welcomed the chance to meet him Wednesday EG #GilmoreinNY

On Immigration efforts

Thanks to AOH, ILIR, Chicago Celts & all others for efforts. We will continue working with you thru @IrelandEmbUSA & CGs EG #GilmoreinNY

Irish Groups promote our culture and unify our community EG #GilmoreinNY

Stay informed, and keep lobbying your public reps EG #GilmoreinNY

This is a complex situation, Congressmen in Washington continue to work towards reaching agreement EG #GilmoreinNY

Immigration Reform remains a high priority for me and for new Ambassador, Anne Anderson @IrelandEmbUSA EG #GilmoreinNY

On Syria

Everyone is very focused on resolving the ongoing crisis in Syria. EG #GilmoreinNY

In addition to Syria, we will also focus on #MDGs and disarmament EG #GilmoreinNY

We've pledged €200,000 towards destruction of chemical weapons, building on the €11m we've given to humanitarian efforts EG #GilmoreinNY

The Syrian people desperately need humanitarian aid EG #GilmoreinNY

On what America can do for Ireland

 .@GlenGilmore The best thing Irish Americans can do for Ireland is stay connected, visit, and invest EG #GilmoreinNY

Looking forward to 2014 Penn State & UCF game in Dublin. @psufootball @UCF_Football @penn_state EG #GilmoreinNY

On The Gathering

We’re thrilled with ‘The Gathering’. So far this year, North American tourism to Ireland is up 20% from 2012 EG #GilmoreinNY

Essential, this year we will welcome over one million North American visitors, spending about US $1 billion. EG #GilmoreinNY

Thanks to our friends in the U.S. for promoting & visiting @gathering EG #GilmoreinNY