Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the conference for Irish diaspora held at Farmleigh, Dublin, on 18 to 20 September 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42165/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Global Irish Economic Forum took place in Farmleigh over the weekend of the 18-20 September. The Forum was convened by the Government with two broad objectives: to explore how the Irish at home and abroad, and those with a strong interest in Ireland, could work together and contribute to our overall efforts at economic recovery; and to examine ways in which Ireland and its global community could develop a more strategic relationship with each other, particularly in the economic sector.

A total of 180 individuals, invited by the Taoiseach, were present, not only from the traditional Irish Diaspora countries such as the United States, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Canada but also from the Middle East, Asia, France, Germany, Argentina, Sweden and South Africa. They were joined by the Government, State Agencies and by a number of leading domestic business figures. Those invited from abroad shared a record of very high achievement in business and culture. The Forum was widely regarded by the participants as a very significant success. The discussions held on a range of mainly economic issues over the weekend were frank and open and marked by expressions of considerable enthusiasm and optimism about the future of Ireland, despite the present economic difficulties.

The Government has moved quickly to take forward the work begun at Farmleigh. At its meeting on 13 October, the Government considered a comprehensive report prepared by my Department and the Irish Management Institute. This document was subsequently made available to the public on www.dfa.ie and www.globalirishforum.ie and was circulated to all Forum participants.

The Report contains details of the main themes to emerge, the specific initiatives proposed and the medium term objectives identified. Some of the proposals contained in the Report may be progressed more effectively by the private sector, others will need to be led by Government and some may involve a public/private partnership. I am encouraged by the fact that significant work has already been undertaken by some participants on the initiatives they advocated at Farmleigh.

The Government has also established a new inter-Departmental Committee of senior officials, Chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Taoiseach, to consider the proposals and to report directly to Government. The post Forum process will complement the work already underway across many of the areas discussed at Farmleigh, including through the Innovation Task Force and the implementation of 'Building Ireland's Smart Economy'.

One outcome of particular significance is the emergence of an invaluable network of highly successful business figures across the globe who now feel that they have a stake in delivering renewed economic growth in Ireland. I have therefore decided to establish a new Global Irish Network made up of those invited to Farmleigh and other leading business figures in our global community. This network will give greater strategic focus to our economic and cultural promotional work abroad.