asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied with the level of Irish involvement abroad in operations related to development aid; and, if not, the steps he proposes to take to encourage Irish business firms to take up the opportunities open to them in Third World countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Development Aid.
10.
The earnings of Irish business from activities related to development aid and from consultancy and project activities in developing countries generally have been provisionally estimated at upwards of £40 million for contracts secured in the year ended June, 1977. This figure does not distinguish between earnings from contracts awarded to Irish firms and State-sponsored bodies from international aid funds and earnings from contracts secured in the wealtheir countries with developing economies such as the OPEC countries. In fact, of this figure of upwards of £40 million only about £1 million is accounted for by contracts awarded by international aid funds.
I am not satisfied that this is the limit of the potential which can be reached.
Encouragement and support are given to Irish firms by the Government, principally through the relevant Departments and Córas Tráchtála, in a variety of ways which include the involvement of Irish firms in the official programme of development aid; the dissemination to the business community of relevant information; diplomatic support and representations; and the range of export incentive schemes. The Government will continue to use all the resources at its disposal to help Irish business interests to avail of business opportunities in the Third World and, indeed, elsewhere.