The Taoiseach will be aware that during the Davos summit remarks were noted by the co-chair of the World Economic Forum that Dublin could be a potential future location for a World Economic Forum event. I raised this as a Topical Issue and the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, gave the reply of behalf of the Government and made clear that if the World Economic Forum contacted the Government that some kind of event could perhaps be hosted in the context of the EU Presidency. There was reporting in The Irish Times that contact had been already made with the Government and there is the prospect of an event taking place in Dublin. Has the Taoiseach or anyone in his Department had contact with the World Economic Forum? Is there a prospect that Dublin could host a World Economic Forum event perhaps during the EU Presidency?

I have not had any specific contact although I am aware of the comments by Mr. Larry Fink that Dublin could be one of a number of potential locations for Davos, or an alternative to Davos. I notice some of the officials connected to the event were less strong about it. Be that as it may, this year is a huge event for the country with the European Presidency. The European Political Community of leaders will be meeting towards the end of the year. We will have a significant series of large meetings with Heads of State, Prime Ministers and so on. We will keep an eye on that and engage to see if an event pertaining to the World Economic Forum could be held in Ireland.