Vol. 514 No. 1
126 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has satisfied herself that Irish industrialists will be able to continue to compete favourably on world markets in view of the extent of current and future competition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3732/00]
Fair and equitable access to world markets is a dominant issue for Ireland in the context of EU Internal Market and WTO trade liberalisation negotiations. We consistently seek to ensure that the interests of Irish exporters are taken fully into account in the development of international trade regulations.
Ireland's trade performance in recent years has been exceptional, based albeit on rapid growth in a relatively small number of sectors. The establishment of EMU since 1 January 1999 and the advent of enlargement of the European Union have served to intensify competition both at home and abroad. These factors also provide our exporters with new opportunities.
The diversification of our exports both by country and by sector remains relatively narrow and there is therefore scope for focusing our efforts on emerging markets; both in central and eastern Europe and in Asia as well as expanding our exports of internationally traded services.
