merrion street

In early June The Department of Foreign Affairs organised a two-day Conference of the Heads of Irish Diplomatic Missions abroad. The theme of this Ambassadors' Conference was "Promoting Ireland Abroad".

The convening of the Conference followed through on commitments in the Programme for Government to "recall Ireland's Ambassadors within 100 days of this new government for briefings on a new approach to promoting and marketing Ireland as a country to do business in." and to "... ensure that our diplomatic network aids the repair of our reputation through a transparent and responsible approach to winning inward investment".

The conference was opened and addressed by Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore and Taoiseach Enda Kenny delivered a keynote speech setting out the Government's priorities and objectives.

In the video below MerrionStreet spoke with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Danny McCoy of IBEC, John Whelan of The Irish Exporters' Association, John Moloney of Glanbia, Niall Gibbons of Tourism Ireland and Eugene Downes of Culture Ireland. The video also includes an excerpt from the Tánaiste's media engagement following the first day of the conference.