Message from Minister of State Colm Brophy T.D.
News
14 August 2020
Minister of State Colm Brophy T.D.
Since taking on the role as Minister for Overseas Development and Diaspora last month, I have had the opportunity to travel the world from my office. In a world devastated by COVID-19, video conferencing technology has never been more important.
Much like the many thousands of Irish families that have been able to reach across oceans to see and hear from loved ones who are abroad and cannot get home, this technology has enabled me to reach out to our Irish Diaspora Community in a way that has never been done before.
The strength and depth of our connection with the Irish Diaspora has been illustrated very clearly to me, I have had discussions with Irish community organisations that span the globe, in New Zealand, Australia, the Gulf, Britain, the USA and Canada.
I have been deeply humbled by the common thread of compassion and commitment shown by the Irish Community throughout the globe, I admire the resilience and spirit of collaboration they have shown in the face of the current crisis.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has worked quickly and decisively to reallocate Emigrant Support Programme funding to support the most vulnerable and isolated members of our communities abroad. The Diaspora organisations have been steadfast in their support and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank them on behalf of the Irish Government for all they have done and continue to do.
During the month I also had the pleasure of visiting EPIC -The Irish Emigration Museum here in Dublin. This gave me a deeper insight into the experience of past generations of Irish people forced to find new lives abroad.
Beir bua agus beannacht,
Colm Brophy T.D.
Minister of State for Overseas Development and Diaspora