Gilmore Reviews Progress Of The Global Irish Network

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD, has published a detailed Progress Report on the Second Global Irish Economic Forum, which was held in Dublin Castle on 7 and 8 October 2011. 

Commenting on the report he said: "The Government's robust and outcomes-focussed approach clearly demonstrates that we have moved quickly to ensure that the energy and determination shown by participants at the 2011 Global Irish Economic Forum has been translated into actions by Government Departments and State Agencies. 

"I would like to reiterate the Government's deep appreciation the members of the Global Irish Network and to the wider Diaspora for their direct assistance with our efforts to deliver economic recovery."

The Tánaiste highlighted the level of progress achieved across the areas identified by the Government as priority areas for action following the publication of the Report of the Forum last November.  These include:

• the Invest in Ireland Roundtable hosted by President Clinton and the Invest in Ireland Forum hosted by the Government in New York in February.  This enabled the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to present Ireland's case for foreign direct investment to major US corporations who have yet to invest in Ireland;
• the establishment of a formal Advocacy system and the appointment of  Advocates in key regions to work with Irish Missions and State Agencies in targeted sectors;
• with job creation a key focus of participants at the Global Irish Economic Forum, the Government's Action Plan for Jobs 2012 identified the important contribution Global Irish Network members are making to Ireland's economic renewal.  A number of specific elements contained in the Action Plan were advocated and supported by Forum participants including: the development by Enterprise Ireland of a program to enable members of the Global Irish Network to contribute to the mentoring, coaching and sponsorship, of Irish companies; and  the provision of support for indigenous small businesses to access to capital, in particular micro-financing;
• significant progress achieved in respect of specific initiatives closely aligned with the Forum and its objectives, including: the Gathering;  a World Actors Forum, 'a Davos for the Arts', in 2013;  and "Succeed in Ireland";
• the introduction of amendments by the Minister for Justice and Equality to visa arrangements to improve access to Ireland for those seeking to study and invest there;
• a  new scheme to provide placements for Irish graduates in firms linked to Global Irish Network members;
• the development by members of the Global Irish Network of a new loan guarantee scheme, known as Síol, to complement the Government's initiatives in this area; 
• the introduction of a number of mechanisms to strengthen communications between the Government and members of the Global Irish Network  including a regular e-letter from the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to members of the Network;
• the decision by the Export Trade Council on 16 February to formalise Global Irish Network involvement in Trade Missions;
• the establishment of an Advisory Group for the Global Irish Network to be  co-chaired by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste and include  Global Irish Network members from each of the main geographic areas represented at Dublin Castle.  This group will be charged with coordinating the overall work program for the Global Irish Network.