Minister hopes New York trip can attract investment

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin is hoping a whistle-stop visit to the Big Apple this week will bear fruit for the Irish economy.

The Cork TD will lobby Mayor Michael Bloomberg and senior business executives in the US city to help attract jobs and investment across the Atlantic.

Mr Martin will also meet high-ranking officials at the UN for talks on foreign policy issues during the two-day visit.

“The minister is travelling to New York as part of efforts by the Department of Foreign Affairs to protect Ireland’s business reputation in the global recession and to attract investment and jobs to Ireland," said a spokesman.

“He will also be supporting a number of Irish companies who are aiming to secure key local contracts which will support jobs at home.”

Irish embassies around the world are also assisting the work of job creation agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

Mr Martin will use his visit to New York to engage in media interviews with the New York Times newspaper and CNBC and Bloomberg channels.

The minister’s itinerary includes an address to the America Ireland Fund Dinner in Manhattan tomorrow which will draw 1,200 business and political leaders.

“The speech is expected to have a strong economic focus and will outline Ireland’s policy of continuing to develop a smart economy,” the spokesman added.

Mr Martin will visit the UN HQ on Friday to hold talks with high-ranking officials on the Middle East and the Irish peacekeeping mission in Chad.

The minister will also promote the inaugural Global Irish Economic Forum taking place in Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park in September.

The event, modelled on the annual business summits in Davos, Switzerland, will see a gathering of over 120 Irish political, business, entertainment and sporting heroes from across the world to discuss initiatives to tackle the downturn.

Mr Martin will also take part in meetings with leaders of the Irish community in New York before returning to Ireland on Saturday morning.