Tanaiste (deputy leader) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore begins a busy program of political and economic events in New York on Wednesday, culminating on Friday, when he will deliver Ireland’s national statement at the general debate of the of the United Nations General Assembly.  

“This year’s General Assembly discussions are likely to be dominated by events in Syria, Iran and the Middle East peace process.  I look forward to setting out Ireland’s foreign policy priorities and our views on these issues in my speech to the General Assembly on Friday and later when I meet with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon,” Gilmore said in advance of his visit. 

"In addition to the political discussions taking place at the UN, I will also have a substantial program of business engagements promoting Ireland to key U.S. business leaders and sectors.

“On Wednesday, alongside the Minister for Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar, I will launch the New York campaign for The Gathering at an event in Ireland House organized by Tourism Ireland and the Irish Consulate.  I will also have a number of media interviews to outline to an American business audience the progress being made by the government to address Ireland’s economic challenges." 

Gilmore also added that in addition to his UN engagements, he would also focus on the local Irish American community in New York.

“I have invited representatives of local Irish community organizations and immigrant support groups to meet with me to discuss how we can continue to strengthen our work together.  In particular, I look forward to developing a stronger U.S. dimension to the decade of commemoration, those historic events of a century ago which so transformed our country and our communities, both at home and abroad,” he said.