asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the present position regarding the appointment of trade attachés in Embassies overseas; the number which have been appointed since his announcement of an initiative in this matter; and if any further appointments can be expected within the next six months.
Written Answers. - Appointment of Trade Attaches.
37.
The Government are committed to making all our representatives abroad, including diplomatic representatives, more commercially responsive, through the better concentration and co-ordination of individual efforts. Detailed discussions and negotiations have been taking place on this process.
One method of achieving this is by appointing special trade-commercial type representatives in certain markets. Another is to have all foreign representatives based in the one building. We have an "Ireland House" in London and the Deputy will no doubt be aware that I recently announced that the Government had decided to establish an "Ireland House" in New York, which would bring together in one building in Manhattan the Irish Consulate, CTT, Bord Fáilte, the IDA, SFADCo, Aer Lingus and CIE Tours.
Discussions about the basis for identifying particular markets and the process for selecting appropriate persons to fill the special positions are at an advanced stage. It is expected to complete these shortly.