World Economic Forum
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-22
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James Geoghegan (FG), Dublin Bay South

At a pivotal time of instability in the world, Ireland has a unique opportunity. Ireland is in a strong position internationally as a committed member of the European Union and with our diplomatic and trading relationships with the United States, the UK and China. We occupy a space that few small countries can match. We are a country that can bring people together and create the conditions for constructive engagement.
The Minister of State may have seen that yesterday it was reported that the current co-chair of the World Economic Forum, Larry Fink, said that the World Economic Forum should start something new by meeting in places where modern industries are actually being built. He specifically named Dublin as a prime example of where the World Economic Forum could find itself. Dublin is a bustling working city where the people who are shaping the global economy live. Ireland is one of the most business-friendly locations in Europe, underpinned by a Government committed to supporting enterprise innovation.
Ranking as the most competitive economy in the eurozone and seventh most competitive globally, Dublin has firmly established itself as a global centre for financial services. There are now over 430 internationally focused financial service companies operating here, employing more than 50,000 people. Among them are 17 of the top 20 global banks and 11 of the world's 15 largest insurance companies. Their presence means that Ireland has become one of the largest exporters of financial services in the European Union and, indeed, the world, according to data from the World Trade Organization. Dublin was recently ranked first in Europe for economic potential in the fDi Intelligence major European cities of the future report. The city is also placed second overall, accounting for its strong business friendliness and FDI strategy. We are a transatlantic gateway with direct access to both the European and North American markets. As the only native English-speaking country in the European Union, Ireland provides a unique advantage for global firms navigating European operations. The city is also one of the most globally connected, connected by Dublin Airport, which is one of the top 20 in the world.
I echo the words of the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, where he set out how middle-sized countries are not without influence. They can help shape a global order grounded in respect for human rights, sustainable development and the sovereignty of states. Ireland has been doing this since the foundation of the State, and we must continue to ensure that we are using our voice, our relationships and our credibility to contribute meaningfully to that work. We have always understood the value of engagement, whether through our role in the European Union, our peacekeeping records, our development partnerships or our diplomatic ties across continents. Ireland has consistently shown that constructive participation can make a difference.
That approach is needed now more than ever. Mark Carney said at Davos:
We shouldn't allow the rise of hard power to blind us to the fact that the power of legitimacy, integrity and rules will remain strong - if we choose to wield them together.
The World Economic Forum has been held in Davos since 1971. The co-convenor has said it is time for the forum to move to a working hub and not a showcase city. The forum wants to remain relevant to the real economy. With Dublin being among the most connected and competitive cities in Europe, we really should seize this opportunity. Will the Government take up this call to potentially have Dublin as a future host of the World Economic Forum?

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Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted.

Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-22/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:32+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-22