Forum bids to pave way out of recession

Almost 200 influential figures from the business and cultural worlds will descend on Dublin today for a major economic forum to help pull the country out of recession.

The delegates, representing some of the top names in the global Irish community, have agreed to attend the weekend event in the leafy Farmleigh Estate in the city’s Phoenix Park.

Billionaire financier and Celtic FC backer Dermot Desmond, management guru Gerry Robinson, former Intel chief Craig Barrett and Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce are among the top raft of people from the business sector.

Bob Geldof and Riverdance creators John McColgan and Moya Doherty will be among those representing the artistic and cultural worlds.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen and members of the Cabinet are also expected to take part.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said the aim was for business leaders to analyse current policies and come up with new ideas that will benefit the country, attract new investment and aid job creation.

The forum was the brainchild of economist and broadcaster David McWilliams, who warned the economy would crash as the country relied too heavily on the building boom.

Mr Cowen sent a personal letter to 200 guests in April, with RSVPs from as far as the US, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, China, Argentina, Europe and the Middle East.

The economy, Ireland’s image abroad, promoting brand Ireland and positioning the country for the upturn will be top of the agenda during five sessions and 11 small breakout working groups.

The programme also features a number of hospitality events, including a reception hosted by President Mary McAleese at Aras an Uachtarain tonight.

A dinner at Dublin Castle will be hosted by the Tánaiste Mary Coughlan tomorrow evening, while delegates will feel a flavour of home at the All-Ireland Football Final on Sunday.