THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs has drawn up a list of about 15 executives to sit on an advisory board to help the Government implement the recommendations of the Global Irish Forum.

Among those who have been invited to join are executive vice-president of Coca Cola Irial Finan; chief executive of PCH International Liam Casey; Glen Dimplex chief executive Sean O’Driscoll; and executive chairman of the Jumeirah luxury hotel group Gerald Lawless.

Others on the list include the the founder of the Irish Technology Leadership Group, John Hartnett; Paul O’Sullivan of Australian telecoms giant Optus; Avril Conroy, a senior executive with Inchcape Russia; and author and broadcaster David McWilliams.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “This group will be charged with co-ordinating the overall work programme for the Global Irish Network. Non-Government representatives will also be tasked with working with our ambassadors in keeping the wider network membership informed of developments.”

The idea for a permanent worldwide network that would invite Ireland’s diaspora to work with the Government in developing economic strategies was established following the Global Irish Forum at Farmleigh in 2010. The network now comprises more than 300 Irish and Irish-connected individuals living outside of Ireland.

In a letter to those invited to sit on the advisory board, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore wrote: “The Government remains committed to ensuring that the outcomes of the forum evolve and continue to contribute to the re-envisioning of Ireland, to reforming Ireland, to re-energising Ireland, to re-establishing our reputation and to facilitating our re-engagement with the global community.”

Mr Gilmore went on to state that the primary functions of the group will be “to advise and assist the Government in co-ordinating and prioritising the work of the Global Irish Network; to advise on the ongoing implementation of the report of the Global Irish Economic Forum 2011; and to advise the Government on new initiatives and activities that could be taken by the Global Irish Network in specific geographic regions.”

Mr Hartnett said he had accepted the invitation from the Government. “I’m very strong on this initiative and putting this kind of board together is a great step forward. I’m looking forward to participating and getting involved. To me, it’s going to be all about what is implemented.”

Through the ITLG, Mr Hartnett has particular interest in the development of Irish companies and he said it is important start-ups get the investment and access to expertise and capital they need.

“Getting the diaspora involved by putting them on the boards of companies is vital,” he said.

Mr Hartnett said he hopes the ITLG can expand quickly to areas such as Germany, Russia, China and the UK, where Irish companies could benefit from being part of vibrant economies in those regions.

Others who have been invited to take part are chairman of the American Ireland Fund Loretta Glucksman and Washington DC-based public relations entrepreneur Susan Davis.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said details of those who had agreed to join the advisory board would be released shortly.