Government committed to global Irish network

THE Government says it remains firmly committed to advancing the work done at last year’s think tank at Farmleigh, according to a report.

The report said the Government’s response to both the fiscal and banking crisis has received “significant positive reaction” internationally, which will help ongoing efforts to reinforce Ireland’s position as a centre for international financial services and to bring forward new initiatives targeting growth.

In the report it also defended the trips which will be taken by Government ministers on St Patrick’s Day. The report said St Patrick’s Day will be used to “reassure international commentators and business partners” that Ireland is on the road to recovery and is following a strategy to restore prosperity.

It said a number of specific initiatives have been taken since September to build on the enthusiasm generated at the Global Economic Forum at Farmleigh last September and to “ensure that this new level of engagement between Ireland and the global Irish develops on a structured basis”.

The Global Irish Network initiative will, the report said, see the integration of “the most influential Irish and Irish-connected individuals into one global group”. A series of regional meetings of the network will take place in a number of countries this year, at which visiting ministers will participate.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said: “I am encouraged by the fact that the deep level of engagement and support shown by participants at Farmleigh has been reinforced in their contacts over recent months with the Government. The forum has come to be widely regarded as marking a new phase of active and practical engagement with our overseas communities, particularly in the business sector.”

The Government is also hoping to establish a Farmleigh overseas graduate programme this year, for which the initial focus is expected to be in Asia and which will provide up to 500 graduate placements abroad once fully operational.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is working in partnership with the Ireland Funds towards convening a forum in June at Farmleigh for up to 100 younger members of the global Irish.

The report also said that following the forum, each Irish embassy abroad is in the process of developing a detailed local diaspora strategy aimed at enhancing engagement with the local Irish community across a number of sectors.

The establishment of a centre or university for the performing arts in Ireland, which is an initiative led by businessman Dermot Desmond, is under way.