The possibility of Dublin becoming a twin city with the Australian capital, Canberra, was mooted yesterday. A delegation of government representatives and business leaders made the proposal during a courtesy call on the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Mary Freehill, at the Mansion House.
The idea was based on the claim that Canberra has more Irish per head of population than any other Australian city.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government's Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Gary Humphries, said he believed there was great potential for such an arrangement. "The huge number of people in Canberra of Irish ancestry would be a very natural base on which to build stronger economic and other links with Dublin," he said.
Cllr Freehill welcomed the opportunity to develop closer relations. If it goes ahead it will be the only twinning arrangement Dublin has with another national capital.
The Australian delegation is taking part in the first mission to promote Canberra, a purpose-built capital of around 200,000 people, and surrounding territory. Its members hope to identify areas for joint venture initiatives with Government agencies and businesses, as well as fostering greater trade links with Ireland.
Ireland is the fifth-biggest export market for Australian wine, ahead of countries such as Japan and Germany. Australia hopes to become a major exporter to this State of information technology and software, as well as using Ireland as a base to manufacture Australian products under licence for export to Europe.
Irish exports to Australia are worth $1 billion annually while exports from Australia to Ireland are worth $260 million each year. The delegation hopes to redress this imbalance.
Mr Humphries pointed out that Australian exports to Ireland had increased by 160 per cent in the last year. The delegation wanted to expand on this.
He also hopes to discuss with Government officials the feasibility of granting holiday working visas to young Australians, similar to the 12-month working holiday visas issued to 10,000 Irish visitors to Australia every year.