Statement of Governor Sonny Perdue Regarding Placement of Irish Consulate General in Atlanta

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today after meeting with the Honorable Mary Hanafin, Ireland’s Minister for Social and Family Affairs. Earlier today, the Irish government announced that it will place a career consulate general in Atlanta.

“I am pleased to welcome Ireland to the growing community of nations that operate career consulates in Georgia. In 2007, I had the opportunity to visit with the Taoiseach and lay out the reasons why Ireland needed to be in Atlanta. We believe this office will strengthen the economic, educational and cultural bonds between the people of Ireland and Georgia. I want to thank Taoiseach Brian Cowen and the Irish government for their investment in our state and this region.”

Ireland will become the 62^nd nation to operate an office in Atlanta. In the last 12 months, Brazil has opened a consulate in Atlanta, and India is in the process of doing the same. In June 2007, Governor Perdue led a state delegation on a trade mission to Europe that began in Dublin, Ireland. The visit culminated in a meeting with Irish government officials, including then-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Additionally, Governor Perdue hosted Irish President Mary McAleese on an official visit in May 2007.

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