Ireland plans to act on advice at global Irish forum

Three-day conference hailed as great sucess

NIALL O'DOWD,

IrishCentral.Com Publisher

Published Saturday, September 19, 2009, 1:53 PM

Updated Saturday, September 19, 2009, 2:38 PM

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin says the government will start work on implementing the proposals from the global Irish forum

The first-ever global Irish forum ended in Dublin Saturday with a firm promise from the Irish gvernment to implement the recommendations made by the 180 business leaders from around the globe.

The packed final session heard from Foreign Minster Michael Martin that he intended to implement an internet strategy for the Diaspora as soon as possible and that new resources would be made available for the creation of a new outreach for the Irish abroad.

He said they would review several of the strong recommendations that Ireland look to increase its overall budget for research and development from 1.5 per cent of GDP to 3 per cent, work harder to teach science and mathematics skills in schools and modernize the school curriculums to reflect the changing world.

Earlier Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen praised the work of the forum as an extremely valuable contribution to aiding Ireland at a time of deep recession.

The three-day conference was considered an outstanding success and leading Irish businessman Denis O'Brien urged the government to make the gathering a yearly event.

It is not clear whether the government will continue with an annual or biennial format.

Among the topics discussed on the final day was a new outreach to the Irish overseas.

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