You, too, could be Irish

"A nation," says Leopold Bloom in James Joyce's Ulysses, "is the same people living in the same place." The Irish government is now saying, however, that the Irish nation is much bigger than those living on the island of Ireland. The "Irish diaspora" will soon be a big part of the picture.

"The Irish diaspora is not limited to Irish citizens living abroad or to those who have activated citizenship. Instead, it encompasses all those who believe they are of Irish descent and feel a sense of affinity with this country," Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin told the Irish Times.

Speakers at last year's Global Irish Economic Forum highlighted the role the country's international network could play in helping Ireland improve its economic fortunes. The power and influence of many members of the diaspora could also give Ireland an important competitive edge, they said.

The first heritage certificates are expected to be issued later this year. The government is looking at the possibility of certificate-holders getting discounts while visiting Ireland as tourists.