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The Government has endorsed 12 initiatives identified in the Report which will be prioritised for action between now and March 2012. Detailed assessments and action plans are also being prepared for the remaining initiatives contained in the Report.

Commenting on the future steps the Government will take the Tánaiste said:

This Report provides a full account of the Forum and the discussions which took place across fifteen different sectors of the economy involving members of the Government, senior Irish business figures and some 270 members of the Global Irish Network. It demonstrates the very substantive, serious and focussed work that was done. The Government has agreed to a robust implementation plan to deliver progress on key areas by March of next year.

The 12 specific areas for early action are:

• Visas – specific measures to improve access to Ireland for those seeking to study and do business here;

• A World Actors Forum, ‘a Davos for the arts’, to be held in Ireland starting in 2014 which would help to build upon the work of “The Gathering”.

• Support by Global Irish Network members in the form of mentoring, coaching and sponsorship, to Irish companies, including from the technology sector. Enterprise Ireland have been requested to develop a programme for approval by Government;

• development of a scheme to place graduates in firms of strategic importance to Irish growth and also to offer, and market abroad, placements in Irish companies;

• Support indigenous small businesses with access to capital, in particular micro-financing;

• Síol: develop a Koret style model to encourage investment into Ireland to provide loans to small businesses from the Diaspora as a springboard for start ups.

• maximise the potential of St Patrick’s Day abroad including by approving the details of Ministerial visits in advance of Christmas to allow maximum advance preparation of programmes of activity in each location;

• establish a Strategic Communications Unit based in the Department of the Taoiseach and create a communications programme led by the Taoiseach.

• establish a formal Advocacy system, appoint Advocates in key parts of the world and seek input from State Agencies in respect of targeted sectors;

• support and participate in investment event in the US with President Bill Clinton in February 2012;

• A series of further communications with members of the Network to alert them to the decisions taken/progress being made;

• Formalise Global Irish Network involvement in Trade Missions