Minister Martin Launches The Global Irish Network

The Irish Foreign Minister, Micháel Martin T.D., has officially launched the government's Global Irish Network.

Speaking at the launching event in the Irish Embassy in London Minister Martin said: "At the Global Irish Economic Forum, I proposed that a new Global Irish Network would be established, through which Government could maintain and develop its relationship with the global Irish business community. I am now delivering on this commitment.

"The establishment of The Global Irish Network will honour the Government's commitment at Farmleigh to listen to and work with those who, though mainly resident abroad, continue to have a strong interest and stake in Ireland and its progress."

The Global Irish Network brings together for the first time some 280 individuals from different regions and different sectors, who all share a strong connection to Ireland and have a record of high achievement in international business or have assisted in the promotion of Ireland abroad through their prominence in the cultural or sporting worlds."

Following the Press Conference, Minister Martin chaired the first meeting of the British-based members of the Network, and announced his intention to organise a series of such regional meetings with members of The Global Irish Network over the coming period.

The Minister added: "I look forward to working closely with Network Members whose diversity of experience and achievement reflects the vibrancy of the global Irish and their strong sense of ingenuity, ambition and imagination.

"I am delighted to launch the Network here in Britain, Ireland's closest neighbour and most important trading partner, a country with a thriving, diverse and influential Irish community."

The Minister also outlined the purpose and remit of the Network. The main objectives of which are:

to maintain and develop the relationship established at Farmleigh between the Government and the most influential members of the global Irish business community. While Embassies and State Agencies have actively maintained local business and community networks in individual countries and regions, the Global Irish Network will, for the first time, integrate the most influential Irish connected individuals into one global group;
• to act as an additional resource for the Irish business community, the Government and State Agencies in promoting Ireland's economic, cultural and tourism messages in key markets;
  • to facilitate greater strategic and practical interaction between Ireland and leading business figures within the global Irish community;
  • to provide a forum through which successful Irish business and cultural figures abroad can interact with each other;
  • to keep the members informed of key developments in the economic and cultural sector in Ireland and of Government policy. This will be achieved through the Network's website and by regular meetings of the members within each country or region to be chaired by the Ambassador;
  • to ensure that the Government is kept fully informed of the views and ideas of key Irish-connected contacts abroad;
  • to provide a formal forum through which members can exchange views and take forward practical initiatives;
  • to facilitate new business opportunities for Ireland and Irish business sectors."

  The Network will be managed and coordinated by a Secretariat within the Department of Foreign Affairs with Ambassadors also playing a key role in directing and organising the members based within their area of responsibility.

  The regional Network events will provide an opportunity for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and other members of the Government to brief members on the current economic situation in Ireland and the progress made in taking forward the initiatives proposed at Farmleigh.

  The establishment of the Network is an additional dimension to the Department of Foreign Affairs' ongoing engagement with the global Irish, which includes extensive cooperation with Irish community organisations worldwide and an Emigrant Support Program budget of almost €13 million this year.