asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has established an advisory committee on marketing; if so, their date of appointment; their composition; the number of meetings since their inception; their terms of reference; their output; and the likely date of completion of work.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Advisory Committee on Marketing.
6.
The National Marketing Group was launched on 20 January 1988. Its purpose is to advise the Government on practical measures to boost the marketing performance of Irish firms on export and home markets.
A list of the group's members is being circulated with the Official Report.
The group have met on eight occasions to date, including an all-day session at Barrettstown on 12 June.
In this time, they have formulated a number of proposals which they are currently finalising as recommendations for inclusion in the national marketing plan and which will be submitted to Government, for consideration, shortly.
As this group are proving most effective and are composed of highly experienced personnel, it is proposed to avail of their advice on an on-going basis.
The following is the statement:
The 16 members of the group are:
1. Mr. Seamus Brennan, Minister for Trade and Marketing (Chairman); 2. Mr. John Burns, Managing Director, Birex Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; 3. Prof. Anthony Cunningham, Department of Marketing, UCD; 4. Mr. David Dand, Chairman and Managing Director, Gilbey's of Ireland Sales Ltd.; 5. Mr. Mark Kavanagh, Managing Director, Hardwicke Ltd.; 6. Mr. Howard Kilroy, President and Chief Operations Director, Jefferson Smurfit Group Ltd.; 7. Mr. Liam Kilroy, Principal Officer, Office of Trade and Marketing; 8. Mr. David Kingston, Managing Director, Irish Life Assurance Company; 9. Mr. Alan McCarthy, Chief Executive, Córas Tráchtála; 10. Mr. Alan McDonnell, Marketing Manager Superquinn and Past Chairman of the Marketing Institute of Ireland; 11. Mr. Aidan McKenna, Chief Executive, Memory Computer Ltd.; 12. Mr. Joe Moran. Chairman, Irish Wire plc; 13. Mr. Vivian Murray, Chief Executive, Irish Goods Council; 14. Mr. Eugene O'Neill; 15. Mr. Dermot Ryan, Managing Director, O'Flaherty Holdings Ltd.; 16. Mr. John Ryan, Sales and Marketing Manager, Leo Laboratories.
When does the Minister of State expect to receive the proposals to which he refers and has he seen any copies of those proposals in their draft form? What date line has the Minister set for the group for the submission of the proposals to him in their final form?
I act as chairman of this group and as such I am fully aware of their work and activities. I expect to finalise that report within two months.
In that event when does the Minister expect the national marketing plan to be published or can he say if it will be published?
I plan to have it completed within two months and submitted to Government for consideration. After that it is a matter for Government as to a publication date or to decide on whatever route they wish for the plan at that time.
We now come to deal with ordinary questions.