Neale Richmond seeks Irish American input on new Diaspora Strategy

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond TD is in San Francisco and Chicago this week to gather community input as the Government develops a new Diaspora Strategy. His programme includes meetings with business and cultural groups, a visit to TechCrunch Disrupt, the unveiling of a Roger Casement plaque on San Francisco's Rainbow Honor Walk and the opening of a new Ireland House in Chicago while he highlights that Irish companies employ more than 200,000 Americans.

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, has today begun a visit to San Francisco and Chicago to engage with Irish communities on the Government’s new Diaspora Strategy and to promote political, economic and people-to-people ties with the United States.

The consultations on the new Diaspora Strategy will see participation by community groups from up and down the US West Coast and across the Midwest. The participating community representatives are drawn from business, community care, education, journalism and the arts, as well as representatives of Irish centres and diaspora organisations. Those taking part will share their views on Irish identity, creating the next generation of Irish American community leaders and ways to enhance business and trade links between the US and Ireland.

Speaking ahead of the consultations the Minister said: “I look forward to meeting with Irish communities and hearing their experiences and ideas as we develop our Diaspora Strategy. There is a great diversity in sectors, geography and generations among the invitees, reflecting the vibrancy of these communities in the US and I know we will come away with rich insights.”

During his visit, Minister Richmond will also highlight the mutually beneficial economic relationship with the US, with Irish companies employing over 200,000 Americans.

In San Francisco, the Minister will visit the TechCrunch Disrupt conference to meet with Irish start-ups. Alongside the Mayor of San Francisco, Daniel Lurie, Minister Richmond will unveil a plaque on San Francisco’s Rainbow Honor Walk dedicated to Roger Casement. Casement is only the second Irish person, after Oscar Wilde, to be commemorated on the iconic Rainbow Honor Walk.

In Chicago, the Minister’s programme includes opening the new Ireland House, which is shared by the Consulate General and IDA Ireland. The new Ireland House has been delivered as part of the Government’s Global Ireland programme to increase our impact overseas.

Celebrating Irish-US relations

Speaking ahead of his visit, Minister Richmond said: “There is a lot to celebrate when it comes to the Irish-US relationship, not least our mutually beneficial economic relationship. Between them, California and Illinois are home to roughly 3.6 million people of Irish descent, making them key locations for consultations on the government’s new diaspora strategy. As two states with significant economic engines, there are exciting opportunities for Irish businesses. More than 300 Enterprise Ireland client company sites already exist across California and Illinois, employing around 34,000 people.

“I am also looking forward to meeting Mayor Lurie in San Francisco to recognise the life and work of the great Roger Casement by unveiling his plaque on the Rainbow Honor Walk. I want to thank the many people across San Francisco who have advocated for and supported this special project, which reflects the deep roots of the Irish communities in San Francisco and our friendships here.”