As the Deputy is aware, the IDA's responsibility for the promotion of industrial development in Ireland is vitally important in terms of its impact on employment creation and on our economic growth generally. Its 1992 grant-in-aid, which covers all administration, promotion and development costs has, because of ongoing Exchequer constraints, already been reduced below the 1991 figure and the 1992 allocation is required in full to meet this year's commitments. A transfer of resources on the lines suggested by the Deputy is, therefore, out of the question.
As to the subject of embassies in Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia, this is, of course, a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I should point out, however, that there is already a residential Irish Embassy in Poland.
In all the three countries, An Bord Tráchtála is already represented and I can assure the Deputy that our trade and commercial interests are currently being promoted with vigour. In fact, having visited all three countries concerned and witnessed, at first hand, the activities of An Bord Tráchtála's representatives on the ground, I can say with complete confidence that the personnel involved have done a remarkable job in a very short space of time. Their efforts have helped to increase Irish service activities in these markets, to diversify our manufacturing exports there and to develop joint venture activities.
As regards the general questions of whether — and, if so, how — our trade and commercial interests might be better advances by our Embassies, I propose to await the relevant deliberations of the Task Force set up to advise on the implementation of the Culliton recommentations, before coming to any firm views in this area.
