TÁNAISTE VISITS PAVILION OF IRELAND AT EXPO 2000, HANNOVER, GERMANYWELCOMES VISITOR NUMBERS OF 1, 900,000 TO PAVILION

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney T.D., to-day (Sunday 15th October, 2000) visited the Pavilion of Ireland at EXPO 2000, the World Exposition which has been taking place in Hannover, Germany, since 1 June last and which will conclude on 31 October next. The Tánaiste was accompanied by Noel Fahey, Ambassador of Ireland to the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Tánaiste commented on the fact that just over 1,900,000 people have already visited the Pavilion of Ireland to date, and that we are now assured of over 2,000,000 visitors for the duration of the full World Exposition. "When we decided to participate in EXPO 2000, we were advised by the EXPO authorities that we could expect some 10,000 visitors per day and some I, 500,000 visitors for the duration of EXPO 2000", the Tánaiste said. "We have already exceeded our target and I very much welcome the fact that over 2,000,000 visitors will experience our presentation at EXPO 2000. Given that Germany is our second biggest export market, our third largest trading partner, and our third largest source of visitors to our country, the Government’s decision to participate in EXPO 2000 has been fully vindicated", the Tánaiste added.

The Tánaiste went on: "Ireland is participating in EXPO 2000 under the motto "EXPERIENCE IRELAND". My visit here to-day indicates that visitors to our Pavilion obtain this experience from the wonderful Pavilion design, the 24 personnel from all over Ireland who work in the Pavilion itself, and all of whom speak German; from our extensive Cultural and Events Programme; and from the individual initiatives which have been taken by State Agencies such as FAS, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Fáilte, Bord Bia and Forfás to promote the wider national agenda".

Speaking during the course of her visit to the Irish Pavilion, the Tánaiste referred to the force of 10 members of the Garda Síochána under the supervision of Superintendent Noel McLaughlin of Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station, Dublin, and including three Inspectors, three sergeants and three Garda officers who have recently arrived in Hannover. These officers are on placement with the German police from 11 October to 3 November under a project driven by the European Union and funded under its Oisín Programme. The project has seen police officers from all EU Member States as well as from the Czech Republic, Japan, Poland, the Russian Federation, and the United States at the World Exposition, EXPO 2000. The project involves the improvement of international co-operation between police forces and a comprehensive exchange of experiences in as many areas of police work as possible. This will involve, among other responsibilities, our Gardaí patrolling with German police colleagues in Hannover city and on the EXPO 2000 site. "I believe this is a good opportunity for members of our police force to extend their professional experience in conjunction with the World Exposition", the Tánaiste said.