Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

At the second Global Irish Economic Forum, organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin Castle on 7 and 8 October, there was a continuing focus on the key role of arts and culture as Ireland's global calling card, building on the strategic recognition at the first forum at Farmleigh in 2009 that for a small country we have arguably the largest global cultural reach and presence of any nation. There was broad agreement that the success of the forum will be measured by practical implementation and delivery, and in that respect there was wide acknowledgement that the cultural field had already delivered a number of key initiatives since the first forum, including the new position of cultural ambassador and the roll-out of Imagine Ireland, Culture Ireland's strategic promotion of Irish arts in the United States throughout this year.

A range of proposals for new cultural initiatives was discussed at the forum, and many received a very positive response. There was a broad sense that the momentum generated by Imagine Ireland thisyear in the US needs to be consolidated, while at the same time planning a strategic programme of cultural engagement with Europe in the context of our forthcoming Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers in 2013. Another frequent theme was the importance of building a sustained engagement with Asia, and in particular China, over the medium to long term.

My suggestion to designate St. Patrick's Day as a day of Irish culture at home and abroad generated much interest. The proposal to organise a world actors' forum in Dublin along the lines of a "cultural Davos" was strongly welcomed, as was the idea to convene a conference on strengthening philanthropic partnerships between business and the arts. There was also an emphasis on the value and impact of enhancing digital access to Ireland's cultural heritage, including the holdings of the national cultural institutions and the 1926 census.

I hope to take forward these ideas, which I believe have the potential to deliver strong strategic benefits for the country, working with my Government colleagues and building on the great sense of energy and commitment demonstrated by the members of the Global Irish Network who attended the forum. Many of these initiatives clearly have a resource implication, and I will be taking that into consideration in discussions with my Government colleagues as part of the budget process. In this regard, I understand that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is preparing a report on the outcome of the forum, which I anticipate will be considered by the Government shortly.

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