Mayo native addresses Irish government delegation in UK
THE Irish diaspora around the globe have always offered a key opportunity to promote and strengthen Irish economic and social prosperity at home and abroad.
Saint Patrick's Day provides a focus on the international Irish community and this was the case in the UK on Friday where Irish women leaders met with and were guests of Minister of State for Finance, Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill, Consul General Sarah Mangan and Laura Broklebank of Enterprise Ireland.
Professor Maggie O’Carroll, formerly from Togher, Hollymount, and who is now CEO of The Women’s Organisation, the largest Women’s Enterprise Agency in the Europe, shared her insights with the Minster and Consul General on the untapped economic opportunity of women in business, social enterprise development, Anglo-Irish trade development and the policy and investment gaps that continue to hold back 52% of the population.
Professor O’Carroll also announced the creation of a new social business to be formally launched in June in Mayo which will work internationally to create value by building entrepreneurial potential in individuals and organisations through advice, training, project development and evaluation support for organisations working in the public, private and social economy sectors.
Minister Carroll McNeill talked about her proud Mayo roots, with her mother originating from Bohola, and reiterating her commitment to supporting women’s enterprise development and access to finance for growth along with developing policy, which will have social value as a key consideration.
Dr. Mary Ryan, medical director of PC 24 and consultant pediatrician at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, a Dubliner with roots in Co. Kerry and Mayo, discussed the need to stem the tide of the health professional brain drain by introducing better and more flexible working practices and investing in closer Anglo-Irish health collaborations.
The high-level meeting was concluded with a firm commitment to continue to develop working ties between the Irish community, business and civic society leaders and the public sector to promote equality, enterprise, trade, and shared learning.