The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micháel Martin T.D., has officially launched the Irish government’s Global Irish Network. Speaking at the launch event at the Irish Embassy in London on Thursday, 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 honor 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.”
 
The first official meeting of the network was held after the launch, with Martin chairing the first conference of the British chapter of the network.

Martin added that regional meetings are set to take place in the near future.