Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 59: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will have any role to play in the upcoming second Global Economic Irish Forum at Farmleigh. [21813/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The second Global Irish Economic Forum will be held in Dublin Castle on the 7th and 8th of October. The primary purposes of the Forum will be to engage fully with the Irish Diaspora in developing Ireland's global business and trade relations; to discuss face-to-face the Government's priorities for economic renewal with key members of the international business community; and to strengthen ties with the Irish Diaspora as a key part of the Government's efforts to restore Ireland's international reputation abroad. There has been an exceptional uptake on the Taoiseach's invitation and over 270 acceptances have been received from members of the Global Irish Network based in some 35 countries.

The Forum is being organised and managed by my Department in close cooperation with other Government Departments and the State Agencies. Over the course of the two days, I will make an address at the opening session and take part in the opening plenary debate which will discuss "Ireland: the road to recovery". I will also be a panellist for other debates including "Ireland's image abroad: communicating the message" and the closing plenary discussion, along with the Taoiseach and President Clinton.

In response to requests from participants at the 2009 Forum, a considerable amount of time has been devoted to small breakout working groups. Each working group will focus on a topic of relevance to the Programme for Government and will involve the participation of the relevant Minister. I will take part in two working groups, the one dealing with "Ireland's reputation abroad" on 7 October and the "Job Creation" group on 8 October. I will also deliver the closing address to the Forum A copy of the programme including details of the working groups and a list of those attending is available on the Forum's website, www.globalirishforum.ie