TÁNAISTE LAUNCHES FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY STATEMENT FOR 1997-1999

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Dick Spring T.D., will launch the SMI Strategy Statement for the Department of Foreign Affairs for 1997-1999 at 10.00 am on Wednesday 26 March in Iveagh House. This strategic plan, which is entitled Pursuing Ireland's External Interests, covers Northern Ireland and Anglo-Irish Relations, the European Union, Ireland's role in the world, Irish Aid, the pursuit of external economic interests and Departmental services (e.g. the Passport Office and consular services).

Note for editors:

This SMI Strategy Statement is part of the follow-up to the White Paper on Foreign Policy ‘Challenges and Opportunities Abroad'. In the context of the SMI initiative, which is designed to reinvigorate the management and performance of the public service, this Statement provides an outline of the immediate objectives of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and of the strategies to be deployed for their achievement between now and the end of the century.Top