Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 156: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date on a Gateway Ireland website as outlined in the Global Irish Forum Report; the discussions he has had regarding the website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44665/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The 'Gateway Ireland' website project was one of the specific initiatives to emerge from the Global Irish Economic Forum, held at Farmleigh in September 2009. The proposal was made by Mr John McColgan at the Forum and has subsequently been taken forward by a private sector group led by him. It is designed to provide a comprehensive and multi-layered online facility, through which the relationship between Ireland and the global Irish can be further enhanced. A public seminar aimed at raising awareness of the project and its potential was held at Dublin Castle in May of this year.

I welcome the initiative and believe that it has the potential to provide an important new tool for connecting the Irish at home and abroad. I have also been supportive of a number of other online projects developed recently with a similar purpose. While Mr McColgan has briefed me on progress being achieved since the Forum, 'Gateway Ireland' is a private sector-led initiative and, as such, my Department has no operational involvement or responsibility for its implementation. Mr McColgan has confirmed to my officials in recent days that significant progress continues to be made towards making the project operational in 2011. I would like to acknowledge the considerable time and resources devoted to date by Mr McColgan to this project and I look forward to its successful implementation.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 157: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a taskforce has been established to develop the initiative of a world class centre of university for the performing arts and Irish culture as outlined in the Global Irish Forum Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44666/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The importance of Irish culture in promoting Ireland, including Irish business, abroad was a prominent theme at the Global Irish Economic Forum held at Farmleigh House in September, 2009. During the course of the Forum, Mr Dermot Desmond proposed that a 'world class' centre or University for the performing arts and Irish culture be established in a landmark building in Ireland. The goal would be to make Ireland a global centre for artistic and creative education, innovation and technology.

The project, which is a private not a state initiative, is ongoing under the leadership of Mr Desmond. A seminar to examine the project took place in late June at which the major national third-level institutions were represented at a senior level. I understand that a detailed proposal shall be shared with the relevant partners shortly. Any issues relating to the third level sector will be a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills. I would like to acknowledge the considerable time and resources devoted to date by Mr Desmond and his team to this project.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 158: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress on the creation of influential Irish individuals and businesses across the world as outlined in the Global Irish Forum report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44668/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The creation of the new Global Irish Network was one of the key recommendations arising from the Global Irish Economic Forum, held at Farmleigh in September 2009. I was delighted to formally announce the establishment of the Network in February this year at the Irish Embassy in London. Since then, regional meetings have also been held in France, Germany, China, Australia and, most recently, in New York, where US and Canadian members of the Network met on 11 November.

The Network now includes over three hundred individuals, based in thirty three countries, and provides an important mechanism for building on the work begun at Farmleigh. It includes some of the most influential Irish and Irish-connected individuals abroad and provides Ireland with an invaluable resource of international expertise from which we can draw as we work towards economic recovery. This direct access to key private-sector decision makers across the globe has the potential to be a considerable source of 'soft power' for the country in the years to come. The Network also serves as an additional resource for the Government in promoting Ireland's economic, cultural and tourism messages in key markets and offers a formal forum through which members can exchange views and take forward practical initiatives.

At the recent meeting in New York, participants made clear their determination to support and assist Ireland in addressing our current economic challenges. They also reiterated their willingness to encourage the international media and business communities to focus, to a greater extent, on Ireland's continued economic strengths and opportunities.