Minister Burke Pledges His Commitment to the Irish Community in Britain

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Ray Burke, T.D., today met with representatives of bodies and organisations serving the needs of the Irish community in Britain, including representatives of semi-state agencies based in London.

Mr Burke explained there were several reasons why he wanted one of his first visits outside of Ireland to be to Britain to speak to people working directly with the Irish community and on its behalf.

"Principally," Mr Burke said, "I wanted, on behalf to the Irish Government, to thank you personally for the work you have done and continue to do, especially with those who experience difficulty in adapting to living in Britain or who encounter problems in caring for themselves.

But I also wanted to listen - to hear directly from you about the situation of our community, about its successes and its problems, about what you are doing and your plans for the future, and about how the Irish Government might help.

And I wanted to say that as Minister for Foreign Affairs I will work to strengthen the links between the Government and our community here."

The Minister said "I also want to develop the links between the Government and the Irish community here to supplement the work that is being done through Dion and the Ambassador's regular contacts with you and his meetings with the Federation of Irish Societies.

I want to make clear today that I, and my colleagues in Government, are committed to meeting with representatives of the Irish community in Britain on a regular basis to discuss in a structured way the issues that are of concern to you. I want also the message to go out that the welfare and interests of the Irish community in Britain are matters of concern to the Irish Government and that they are part of the British-Irish agenda."Top