‘Mission’ not possible for Perth D iplomatically speaking, the Irish community in Western Australia appear to have slipped off a list of priorities for the Irish government. Perth was bypassed this year for the traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebrations led by the state’s visiting government representative to Australia, Galway West TD and minister of state Hildergarde Naughton for the annual excuse to exercise our Irishness and drum up trade and opportunities as well. Honorary consulate of Ireland Marty Kavanagh told Irish Scene this was only because Western Australia (and New Zealand which is paired with WA) were still both “somewhat closed” because of Covid restrictions. “Whilst St. Patrick’s Day visits are a matter for government, I see no reason why we won’t have a minister next year, as we’ve always had one, at least in my time in the role, the last seven years. WA is always high on the government’s list because of the diaspora and the long links between WA and Ireland.” That connection and Perth’s place in the bigger scheme of things actually came up in
4 | THE IRISH SCENE
BY LLOYD GORMAN
the workings of Dáil Éireann (Irish parliament) recently. It was first raised during a sitting of the Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs and Defence last November, at which foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney appeared for questioning. Charlie Flanagan, the chair of the committee and a former minister for foreign affairs himself, had a lot of questions for Mr Coveney, including one specifically about Western Australia. Mr Flanagan – a Fine Gael TD for Laois Offaly – said Ireland’s relationship with Australia was good and had been for ‘many decades’. “That will continue but, having regard to our diaspora in Western Australia and the economic relationship between Ireland and Western Australia, will consideration be given towards the establishment of a consulate in Perth?,” Mr Flanagan asked. A consulate, embassy or similar set up can also be called a ‘Mission’. Mr Coveney’s lengthy answer included a response to the question about WA. “Regarding Australia, I am familiar with the Irish diaspora in Perth,” Mr Coveney, a TD for Cork South Central
