Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent it is intended to promote and encourage dialogue with the Irish diaspora in business and academia worldwide with a view to maximising efforts towards economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government is strongly committed to further developing our relationship with the global Irish community. In addition to the continued support for Irish communities through the Emigrant Support Programme, I am also determined to harness the expertise and influence of leading Irish members of the international business, cultural and academic community.

The second Global Irish Economic Forum, to be held at Dublin Castle on the 7 and 8 of October, will make an important contribution to this process. The Forum will provide an opportunity for the Government to meet directly with many of the most influential members of the global Irish and to discuss our priorities for economic renewal, job creation and the restoration of Ireland's reputation abroad. Most of those invited to Dublin Castle are members of the Global Irish Network. The Government and Missions overseas have already engaged extensively with the Network and it is intended that the Forum will provide renewed focus and strategic direction to its ongoing valuable work.

While the precise details of the programme and agenda are currently being finalised, the topics to be discussed will cover specific economic areas identified as priorities in the Programme for Government. The importance of engaging the current and future generations of the global Irish and the role of Irish culture in promoting Ireland abroad will also feature as important themes.

The 2009 Forum - in which I participated - led to the implementation of a series of significant initiatives across a range of areas, including: business network development; innovation; tourism; the promotion of Irish culture; and diaspora engagement. In the context of preparing for the 2011 Forum, a comprehensive review of all the recommendations was undertaken by my Department, in consultation with all relevant Government Departments. A copy of this review is available on my Department's website.