We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
DAVOS IS THE place to be this week – but you’re unlikely to get near the place unless you’re among the world’s business or political elites.
The alpine Swiss town hosts the World Economic Forum (WEF) every year and the 2018 incarnation gets underway tomorrow.
Aside from businesspeople and politicians, influential thinkers, activists and celebrities will also be in attendance.
There’s no doubt about the most talked about appearance, however. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to be at the summit on Friday but that could be dependent on the current US government shutdown.
What about Ireland though, who from our shores is attending the global gathering?
According to the list of participants on the WEF site, there are six attendees from Ireland. One more than last year.
Here they are.
Writer and education and disability campaigner Sinéad Burke is Ireland’s only female representative at Davos.
Her Minne Mélange website host discussions about inclusivity within fashion and about feminism and marginalised communities.
A lack of women at Davos has been criticised in previous years and this year each discussion panel is to be chaired by a woman.
Burke will part of the discussion tomorrow at 10am about ‘Fostering Inclusivity’.
This year represents somewhat of a changing of the guard for Ireland. New faces at the head of government since last year means that Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will be performing the Noonan role of talking up Ireland’s finances.
Aside from the many snowy media opportunities afforded to politicians, Donohoe will be speaking as part of a panel discussion with economic luminaries like Joseph Stiglitz.
The discussion is at 1 pm Irish time on Thursday and is titled: ‘Beyond the Paradise Papers: Can global tax avoidance be stopped?’
One of Ireland’s richest business people, O’Brien is no stranger to the slopes of Davos.
Garry Lyons / TwitterEnjoyed seeing an Taoiseach @EndaKennyTD yesterday - I think he liked my tie! pic.twitter.com/2giSEzHgEr
— Garry Lyons (@garrylyons) April 15, 2015
Mastercard chief innovation officer Garry Lyons heads up MasterCard Labs, the company’s research and development arm based in Leopardstown, Dublin.
Fresh from last week’s speech to the European Parliament, Ireland’s Taoiseach has another trip to the continent.
On Thursday at 4pm he’ll speak as part of a panel discussion that will also feature the leaders of Portugal and the Netherlands.
In previous years Enda Kenny made frequent use of the international airwaves and expect Varadkar’s profile to allow him continue in the same vein.
Andrea Bandelli
The Italian-born executive director of Science Gallery International oversees the Global Science Gallery Network, which stemmed from the original Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin. He is also developing sister projects in London, Melbourne, Venice, Bengaluru and Detroit.
Bandelli has had a long history with Ecsite, a European organisation representing science centres and museums in 25 countries.
With reporting by Fora.ie
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
The top 1% that has taken 82% of the world’s wealth last year discussion how to keep us minions in order to make more money
@dick dastardly: Taken it where ? Mars. ? That should say created it.
@dick dastardly: Like flies on Sh*t over there, any idea why the journal is not allowing people to comment on a PUBLIC inquiry ?
Created it??, like when I get a loan from a bank…
@Tom Molloy: “created it”, my arse!
@Tom Molloy: You could say created, but only if you are a right wing FG voting sheep.
@Tom Molloy: no. Used interest free money to inflate asset values and manipulate currency markets. A monkey could do it with the access to cash they have
@Sandra O’Fucáif: Of course. Wouldn’t you? There’s only so much a person needs.
@Shane Donnelly:
Grow up.
@P.J. Nolan: wow….
@dick dastardly: and they deserve every single cent. People are not equal.
Haha are we afraid to write anymore on Denis ?
@John Whelan: he is some legend in fairness. Top bloke.
Paschal & Socky on a jolly. A quick talk about tax avoidance (Lol) and then a few Hendricks with Dinny at the bar.
@Tweed Cap: Will the drinks be metered?
@Tweed Cap: Hendricks is for paupers. What next dutch gold…
Redacted treating his staff to an all expenses paid jolly.
That’s nice.
@DaisyChainsaw: jealous much?
The 1% discussing how to keep the other 99% from getting at the worlds wealth!
@Jordan Salanger: if the 99% put in some effort they wouldnt be paupers
The token woman lol
Taken world poverty and turning it into wage and mortgage slavery.
@Sean Conway: hopefully :)
Pascal and leo. Way out of their depth at that event anyway. Can’t even fix the problems in their own country, as leo said a few days ago, a small country of only 5 million people in the EU.
@Adrian: your jealousy is amusing
The Taoiseach and the MOF in Davos. Just shows where their priorities are. Some handy things to be sold by the taxpayer on the cheap to the 1%. Isn’t DOB one of our most heavily in debted citizens rather than one of our richest?
More embarrassing waffle from leo and Varadkar
Is Leo giving a talk, if not what the Special Communications unit doing while he’s away. Indeed what were they doing since he took office – he’s hardly been in the country.
@Paul Coughlan: you ok hun?
Another major international arse licking event .the oscars without oscar .
All fully signed up to the globalist agenda?
@SeanGabriel1453: hopefully :)
I think it shows the truly disgraceful attitude of our politicians when they feel the need to attend such lavish events. If they attended at their own expense, well fair enough, but the Irish taxpayer is probably paying way over the odds for our politicians to attend this thing and it’s highly unlikely there’ll be a marked improvement in our govs performance or the state finances after they return.
How much does their attendance benefit the Irish taxpayer. Very little I’d say. So it’s just a taxpayers funded junket for these guys.
@Adrian: shows the truly disgraceful attitude and jealousy from the underclasses. Im sure they will toast a glass of champers to you bitterness
Flippin hell,what a shower of right wing,money grabbing,parasites.
A lot of back-slapping and much self-grandiose going around, I imagine.
have your say