A two day international forum aimed at identifying ways of strengthening Ireland's economy is under way at Dublin Castle.
Almost 300 delegates - drawn from Irish communities in almost 40 nations - are attending the second Global Irish Economic Forum.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore, said that an implementation body would be established out of the forum with the primary aim to generate jobs.
The 270 delegates at the two day event in Dublin Castle will discuss practical initiatives to help Ireland's economic recovery. They will examine ways of generating foreign direct investment, promoting culture as well as increasing export and tourism figures.
The Government says job creation and rebuilding the country's international reputation are the top priorities.
The Taoiseach said this evening that he and Mr Gilmore would chair an implementation committee, made up of public servants and members of the private sector, which follow through on the proposals from the Forum.
The 15 working groups at the Forum are being asked to propose two or three specific ideas to help achieve these aims. Irish embassies will be charged with ensuring that the proposals are acted upon and that links with the diaspora are enhanced.
The views of those who have emigrated in recent years are also being sought.
A group of Ireland-linked technology executives has launched an initiative that aims to create a pool of industry and technology leaders who will volunteer to serve on relevant Irish state boards until 2016 without remuneration.
The Irish Technology Leadership Group said that it hoped to make available a list of at least 100 leaders as part of the Diaspora 2016 initiative.
The ITLG said that it would release details of future members of the group as they became available, and that so far, the following people had volunteered: John Hartnett, president and founder, ITLG; Tom McEnery, former Mayor of San Jose, California; Rory McInerney, vice president, Intel; Barry O’Sullivan, senior vice president, Cisco; and Conrad Burke, founder, Innovalight.
"We expect this group to cover many sectors of the economy with particular focus on information technology, life sciences, innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Mr Hartnett.
“We have discussed this informally with many of the participants at our Silicon Valley Comes to Ireland event this week and there is huge interest in volunteering."
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar also announced proposals for the largest tourism initiative in Ireland later this afternoon.
‘The Gathering’ will be a year-long event in 2013.
"This is an invitation to the world to come and join in Ireland’s renewal," said Mr Varadkar.
"The Gathering will be a year-long programme of events, festivals and fun designed to bring record numbers of visitors.
"It’s an opportunity for people at home and abroad to play a part in Ireland’s renewal, and help to rebrand Ireland on the world stage’."
