Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made on the conference that was held at Farmleigh, Dublin to discuss the economic future here; the cost of this conference; the ideas or innovations that emerged from this conference that have been enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45668/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Global Irish Economic 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. The forum was marked by huge enthusiasm among the participants, who widely regarded the event as a very significant success. The discussions held on a range of mainly economic issues over the weekend were marked by expressions of considerable 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. The full report, which contains a detailed list of the main themes and specific proposals to emerge, is available onwww.dfa.ie and www.globalirishforum.ie. The Government has also established a new interdepartmental committee, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Taoiseach, to consider the proposals and monitor progress across Departments. The committee has already begun its work and will report to the Government early in the new year. The post-forum process will complement the work already under way 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. My Department is actively working towards the establishment of 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. One of the main themes to emerge from the attendees was the importance of Irish culture to the image of this country abroad and in particular. I was therefore pleased to announce on 7 December that funding of €2.3million is being provided by my Department for a new landmark Irish Arts Centre in New York as a key outcome of the forum. Other ideas which are being actively progressed include: the establishment of an Irish innovation centre in Silicon Valley; the Gateway Ireland portal, which would serve as a key on-line focus for promoting Ireland abroad and engaging with our global community; and expanded educational exchange and scholarship programmes to increase engagement with younger generations. I am aware that a number of other Departments are also taking forward initiatives suggested at Farmleigh. I am similarly encouraged by the fact that significant work has already been undertaken by participants themselves on a number of projects that are more suitably advanced by the private sector. In planning the forum, overall costs were kept to a minimum. Participants paid for their own air fares and travel costs and the accommodation provided by the Department was deliberately chosen at hotels close to the venue and at a very competitive price. Current figures indicate that the costs incurred come to approximately €326,000. I believe the forum represents real value for money: it marked a new level of engagement with the most successful members of our diaspora and provided an invaluable opportunity for the Government, opposition and Irish business leaders to exchange ideas and build relationships with a large number of leading CEOs from key markets.