Five years into an Irish diplomatic expansion in the U.S. that began by putting a consulate general in Atlanta, the first opened in country since the 1930s, more work remains to be done, according to a 17-page Irish government review of its ties with the U.S.
The Atlanta consulate was the tip of a spear for a realignment that has also led to honorary consulates in Orlando, Fla.; Austin, Texas, and, in the near future, Charlotte, N.C.
The review acknowledges the progress but offers a frank assessment of areas where its diplomatic efforts have so far fallen short of 2009 goals. It blames resource constraints on delays on upgrading the Irish embassy and developing an Irish cultural institute in Washington.
Other goals have been met in roundabout ways. Plans to create a high-level mechanism for engagement with Irish-Americans have been effectively folded into the Global Irish Network and Global Irish Economic Forum, which influential Atlantans have attended in recent years.
The report is effusive in reaffirming its 2009 statement that the U.S. relationship deserves “special attention,” hinting that it could hire more staff to more effectively carry out its mission here.
Economic ties have been prioritized as Irish exports to the U.S. have grown 50 percent since 2009. The U.S. now accounts for 72 percent of foreign investment into Ireland.
While Ireland must do a better job to point out the depth and quality that already exist in the relationship, it also has to work at deepening ties even further by helping its own companies navigate the U.S. market, the review stresses.
“Because the US is an ‘established’ market, and Ireland-friendly, there is a risk that we feel ourselves in a comfort zone. Any such sense would be misplaced. This is a highly competitive environment: the restless energy and openness to change is part of what characterises America. Nothing can be assumed; everything must be continually earned,” it reads.
It also notes that Ireland should capitalize on its strong brand and goodwill from both Americans and a strong diaspora community, as well as a new intangible: the positive views many hold on Ireland’s handling of its debt crisis.
Still, some of Ireland’s longer-term objectives depend on political will in the U.S. The report stops short of optimism on issues like the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and immigration reform, but it’s hopeful enough to urge preparedness on Ireland’s part.
Research shows that Ireland already benefits in the eyes of U.S. firms from being seen as a gateway to the European Union, a case that could be bolstered further with the successful negotiations of the massive free trade agreement being hashed out between the U.S. and the bloc.
Ireland would also like to see changes to immigration laws that would lead to a solution for more than 50,000 undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States. Speaking in Atlanta in May, Ambassador Anne Anderson called for a plan that would allow them to “come out of the shadows.”
Sports and culture are also emphasized in the review, showcasing a new development that could be of interest to Southeast U.S. universities: college football teams facing off in Ireland.
“College football has been given a big boost: the Notre Dame-Navy game in Dublin in 2012 was a phenomenal success and the University of Central Florida – Penn State University game this year will also have an important tourist spin-off,” reads the review.
Leo Varadkar, minister of transport, sport and tourism, said during a St. Patricks’ Day breakfast speech in Atlanta that he would welcome a University of Georgia and Georgia Tech rivalry game in his nation’s capital.
Read more on Global Atlanta’s Ireland channel: www.globalatlanta.com/ireland
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