Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2011
39 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will publish an up-to-date summary of the outcome of the first global economic Irish forum at Farmleigh in 2010. [13971/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs leader of the Labour Party, I attended the 2009 Forum at Farmleigh and took part in a range of discussions with participants. The recommendations of the Forum contributed to the implementation of a series of significant initiatives across a range of areas, including: tourism; the promotion of Irish culture abroad; diaspora engagement; innovation; and business network development. The report of the first Forum together with the two subsequent progress reports are available on my Department's website —www.dfa.ie.
In the context of preparing for the 2011 Forum, a comprehensive review of all the recommendations from the 2009 Forum has been undertaken by my Department, in consultation with all relevant Government Departments. A copy of this review will be forwarded to the Deputy and will be made available on my Department's website. The report outlines areas of significant progress made both by the Government and the private sector on a number of initiatives which emerged from, or were discussed, at the Forum.
The decision by the Government to proceed with a second Forum on 7 and 8 October will provide an opportunity for us to meet directly with many of the most influential members of our Diaspora and to discuss our priorities for economic renewal, job creation and the restoration of Ireland's reputation abroad. I look forward to welcoming the participants to Dublin for a frank and intensive exchange of ideas and to enhancing our engagement with them in the coming years as we work towards economic recovery.
