The creation of the new Global Irish Network was one of the key recommendations arising from the Global Irish Economic Forum, held at Farmleigh in September 2009. I was delighted to formally announce the establishment of the Network in February this year at the Irish Embassy in London. Since then, regional meetings have also been held in France, Germany, China, Australia and, most recently, in New York, where US and Canadian members of the Network met on 11 November.
The Network now includes over three hundred individuals, based in thirty three countries, and provides an important mechanism for building on the work begun at Farmleigh. It includes some of the most influential Irish and Irish-connected individuals abroad and provides Ireland with an invaluable resource of international expertise from which we can draw as we work towards economic recovery. This direct access to key private-sector decision makers across the globe has the potential to be a considerable source of ‘soft power' for the country in the years to come. The Network also serves as an additional resource for the Government in promoting Ireland's economic, cultural and tourism messages in key markets and offers a formal forum through which members can exchange views and take forward practical initiatives.
At the recent meeting in New York, participants made clear their determination to support and assist Ireland in addressing our current economic challenges. They also reiterated their willingness to encourage the international media and business communities to focus, to a greater extent, on Ireland's continued economic strengths and opportunities.