Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I have previously acknowledged that convening the Farmleigh event and setting up the Global Irish Network was very positive and constructive. It was done by my predecessor as part of the previous Government. The Deputy knows I criticised the previous Government on many issues but this is not one of them. This was a very good initiative which was very successful. As a result of the potential generated, we have decided to convene a second event.

The upcoming event will not be in Farmleigh because the number of members of the Global Irish Network has grown since the first event, with the current number at more than 300. It is intended to hold the upcoming event at Dublin Castle. I envisage that the emphasis will be less on what we should do and more about action. There will be a more specific agenda built on what has happened since the last forum convened. As I indicated regarding actions that have been undertaken since the last forum, I will set out in tabular form each of the specific objectives and initiatives proposed by the participants at the Farmleigh forum and the action taken with each of them. I do not propose to go through it here as it would take too long.

With regard to my engagement with forum members, when I was in the United States around St. Patrick's Day there was no formal forum event but members attended various events where I was present. In recent visits to London and Paris we took the opportunity to convene members of the forum in two respects; there was a large trade gathering and we also convened groups of ten or 12 members to speak with me and representatives of State agencies about initiatives we must undertake, particularly in how to grow Irish trade abroad.

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