The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

A NEWLY cultivated partnership with Ireland in the form of an Honorary Consul could help both the Bahamas and Ireland as they “regain (their) economic footing” and “cement and deepen” their bilateral ties, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday.

He was present for the announcement of the investiture of Brian Quinn as Irish Honorary Consul to the Bahamas at a midday luncheon off Lake Waterloo.

The Fox Hill MP said it was a “proud day” for both the Republic of Ireland and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and remarked on the long-standing relationship Ireland has with the Bahamas, as well as the Caribbean, at large.

“In the 1970s, Aer Lingus offered training programmes for engineers at Bahamasair, expanding our technical capacity in the early days of independence,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Such capacity-building and people-to-people exchanges have served the Bahamas well, and we hope that we can arrange more exchanges to share experiences and best practices for our mutual benefit.”

He took note of Ireland’s “invaluable” advocacy and support of the CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement as it relates to trade and added: “We are also thankful for Ireland’s support as we continue on the path toward accession to the World Trade Organization.

“We understand that trade continues to be the link for all nations, and in promoting and bolstering trade, not only between our nations, but also with the world.”

Mr Mitchell also praised Ireland’s domestic policies with regard to the country’s “commitment to renewable energy” and explained as the Bahamas “looks to diversify its energy sources and energy generation methods,” Ireland’s wind farms could “serve as inspiration.”

The Bahamas can also learn from Ireland’s fishing industry, the Minister continued, as Ireland’s location near major fisheries stocks “has thrust it into a role of protection and conservation of its fisheries for future generations.”

Mr Mitchell continued: “The past few years have not been kind to either of our economies, but the past few years have also shown us the importance of cooperation on many levels for economic stability and re-invention.

“I am happy to accept and acknowledge the appointment of Mr JSB Brian Quinn as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Ireland to the Bahamas. His extensive experience in the private sector augurs well for the Irish-Bahamian relationship as we seek ways in which to help each other regain our economic footing.”

Now that Ireland has established a constant physical presence in Nassau, he said, this next step in the relationship between the two countries will be “a well-placed and solid one.”

For his part, Mr Quinn said it is a “a great honour and privilege” to be appointed as Honorary Consul. He also spoke on ways in which Ireland and the Bahamas can exchange ideas and aid each other.

“We are two small nations, a lot of affinity, a lot of similar challenges, a lot of similar attitudes, and a whole variety of challenges and opportunities in the future. So there’s good common ground there. I hope therefore to be able to assist in the process of integrating those and processing those to the best of my ability,” he said.

“Ireland has great experience in managing major projects and can contribute here in the business, science, and cultural fields, very effectively.

“We are not heavy-handed, we know the desires and requirements of a small nation. We have in Ireland schools of academic and technical excellence – I couldn’t overstate how good they are – and our universities and their degrees and our law schools are respected throughout the world… So it will be part of my job to encourage exchange at every level in these particular areas.”