'Davos on tour' may come to Dublin in spring

A "Davos on tour" event may come to Dublin in the spring, with the possibility of holding an event together with the World Economic Forum (WEF), which organises the annual gathering in Davos.

Larry Fink, the interim co-chair of the WEF’s governing board, suggested at the summit that the event, which brings together global business and political leaders, could expand its footprint, according to the Irish Times.

Fink suggested Dublin as a potential arena, as well as Detroit in the United States, Jakarta in Indonesia and Argentina’s Buenos Aires.

Fink's co-chair Andre Hoffman dismissed the idea of permanently relocating the event from the Swiss Alpine ski resort of Davos; however, senior Government sources told the Irish Times that initial planning had begun for a potential “satellite event” in Ireland.

It is understood Dublin Castle has been identified as a potential location for an event in May.

The source indicated the guest list would be around 100, which is in contrast to the some 3,000 people that can be accommodated in Davos.

It would be expected that senior Government figures, as well as EU figures and senior figures from the tech sector would be invited.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South James Geoghegan told the Dáil earlier this month that Ireland should “demonstrate ambition and hold up our hand” in light of Fink's remarks.

He was told by Minister of State Alan Dillon that there had been “no official contact by the forum with the Government”.

Dillon also told the Dáil that the suggestion of Dublin as a location "positions Dublin as a credible destination that offers stability, a strong regulatory environment and a genuinely international outlook... Hosting the annual meeting would be an opportunity to promote our economic success."

The Irish Times understands there has been communication with the WEF, and that Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Enterprise departments within Government may play a role. However, the Department of Finance said it had not been involved in discussions around such an event.

The Foreign Affairs and Enterprise departments did not comment when contacted by the Irish Times.