Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the high level recommendations of the global Irish economic forum that will be implemented; the main headings of this work that will be advanced; the role of the innovation task force in this process; if there is a departmental implementation team working on initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7083/10]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the countries in which the 280 global Irish network members reside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7081/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 134 together.

The Global Irish Economic Forum marked a new phase in active and practical engagement with some of the most influential members of the Irish abroad. I was deeply encouraged by the level of commitment and support for this country demonstrated by those who travelled to Farmleigh.

The Government has moved quickly to build on the success of the Forum and to take forward the valuable work begun there. Following the publication of a comprehensive Report of the Forum on 13 October, a high level inter-Departmental Committee chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach has been conducting a detailed examination of the proposals contained therein. These include initiatives on innovation, culture, tourism, agriculture, financial services and developing new practical links with the global Irish.

The Committee will present a report to Government shortly and I intend to issue a detailed public statement on progress made since the Forum in advance of St. Patrick's Day.

While the progress report will highlight the extensive work being undertaken on the ideas generated at the Forum, a number of significant initiatives have already been implemented. On 4 February, I was delighted to formally announce the establishment of the new Global Irish Network, which was one of the key recommendations contained in the report of the Forum, at the Irish Embassy in London. The Network will formalise the relationship that developed at Farmleigh among those highly influential figures who, though mainly resident abroad, now have a formal framework in which they can contribute in delivering renewed economic growth in Ireland. The table contained in this reply includes a list of those countries in which the members of the Network reside.

Other initiatives already announced include: the provision of funding of €2.3 million for a new landmark Irish Arts Centre in New York; further support for Irish business networks abroad such as the Irish Technology Leadership Group in California; and the establishment by each of our Embassies of detailed local diaspora strategies aimed an ensuring that we cultivate and refocus our engagement with our communities abroad across a range of key sectors. Tourism Ireland's marketing campaign abroad in 2010, particularly around St Patrick's Day, has also benefited considerably from the views expressed by participants at the Forum.

Some of the proposals arising from Farmleigh were more suitably taken forward by the private sector, and I am aware that a number of participants are in contact with my Department in relation to these, including plans for a new Irish portal website and a Farmleigh graduate placement programme.

The post-Forum process complements the important work already underway across many of the areas discussed at Farmleigh, including through the Innovation Task force and the implementation of the "Building Ireland's Smart Economy". The Innovation Task Force was provided with a comprehensive briefing on the outcome of the Forum and officials involved in both processes are in close contact to help ensure that appropriate synergies can be identified and developed.