Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 3

Written Answers. - Role of Department in Trade Promotion.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

25 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether there is a role for the overseas staff of his Department in the promotion of tourism and trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

There is undoubtedly an important role for the Department of Foreign Affairs in the promotion of Irish tourism, trade, and foreign earnings generally. This is one of the priority areas of the Department's work to which considerable resources are devoted.

The particular role played by individual embassies depends on a number of factors, including the economic system of the country concerned, the opportunities it offers for Irish economic interests and whether or not the Irish semi-State bodies maintain offices in the countries concerned. If the semi-State bodies are locally represented, the embassy works very closely with them in support of their marketing and promotional efforts. Where the semi-State bodies are not represented, the embassy is more directly involved in promotional work and in facilitating Irish exporters and other business interests.

In all locations, the embassy monitors economic and financial developments, lobbies as necessary at Government and official level and is involved in the organisation of ministerial and other visits with an economic focus.

My Department liaises very closely with the home economic Departments, particularly the Department of Tourism and Trade, to ensure a fully co-ordinated approach; we are represented on the Foreign Earnings Committee which meets regularly and brings together all the relevant Departments and semi-state bodies.