Created through an outside section of the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget, the Massachusetts-Ireland Trade Commission will fall under the umbrella of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI) within the state’s Executive Office of Economic Development. The new commission will be responsible for evaluating the economic relationship between the Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland and identifying ways to strengthen those ties.
“Massachusetts has a long-standing historical connection to Ireland dating back to the first wave of Irish immigrants who arrived in Boston during the potato famine of the 1840s,” said Representative Jones. “As a member of the commission, Hannah will work to build on that relationship by promoting mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities between Massachusetts and Ireland.”
In addition to making recommendations on bilateral trade and investments, the commission will also consider the development of various policy issues, business and academic exchanges, ways to provide mutual economic support, and infrastructure investments between the two governments. The commission will also explore the creation of economic and educational opportunities involving communities in Massachusetts and the Republic of Ireland.
“My great-grandfather left his home in the little village of Fordston in Trim by himself in 1884 at the age of 15 for America, and my family and I have always celebrated our Irish ancestry. I am honored to be a member of the Massachusetts-Ireland Trade Commission and to continue to find ways to strengthen the economic ties and build on the historical relationship between us,” remarked Representative Kane.
In addition to her role on the trade commission, in
August of 2023 Representative Kane traveled to Ireland as part of the American
Irish State Legislators Caucus to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Good
Friday Agreement. The Caucus is designed to foster and strengthen the
longstanding relationship between the United States and Ireland, and over 180
state legislators from 44 states attended this gathering. Representative Kane
serves as one of the Massachusetts Co-Chairs of the Caucus.
Representative Kane is one of six current or former legislators serving on the 15-member trade commission, which will also include among its members MOITI Executive Director Jeevan Ramapriya and six gubernatorial appointees, three of whom will represent the state’s institutions of higher education and three of whom will be members of public organizations in Massachusetts promoting Irish American affairs. Rounding out the commission membership will be the Secretary of State or their designee, and the Secretary of Economic Development or their designee.
The commission is required to hold its meetings at geographically diverse locations throughout the state to help facilitate public input. It will be responsible for submitting an annual report on its findings and recommendations for legislation by August 31 to the Governor, the Clerks of the House and Senate, and the chairs of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
