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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General to Visit Ireland

26 November 1998

Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku will visit Ireland early in December to make a major speech on the modern Commonwealth. The announcement of his visit comes a day after the Irish Premier, Mr Bertie Ahern, publicly announced that Ireland would be debating a possible return to Commonwealth membership.

During his stay in Dublin from 8-11 December, Chief Anyaoku would hope to meet the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and senior members of his Government.  He will also call on the Irish President, Mrs Mary McAleese.

Chief Anyaoku will be the guest of the Irish Association, which he will address in Dublin Castle on 10 December. It will be his third visit to Ireland  since he became Secretary-General in 1990. In 1992, he gave a keynote address as part of the celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Trinity College Dublin; and, in 1996, he visited Derry where he delivered an address at the University of Ulster.

The Secretary-General said, "I am greatly encouraged by the Taoiseach's statement.  It is clear that Ireland would be a very welcome member of today's Commonwealth, given the country's strong belief in democracy and its international commitment to human rights and sustainable development.  Ireland's links with many Commonwealth members are good and Irish women and men have made important contributions in all regions of the world."


Note to Editors:
The first official expression of recent Irish interest in Commonwealth membership came in 1994 when Irish President Mrs Mary Robinson attended the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She held talks with Chief Anyaoku on Ireland's relationship with Commonwealth countries but stopped short of any commitment, saying this would be a matter for the Irish government and people. Subsequently, unofficial contacts between the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Irish representatives have taken place. Ireland left the Commonwealth in 1949.

 

98/83 26 November, 1998

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