Bertie Ahern
Question:3 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the recommendations or suggestions, if any, which arose from his meeting with the Economic Advisory Board in the United States. [6380/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board.
My meeting with the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board in Washington on 17 March was a first opportunity for me, as Taoiseach, to meet this important group of corporate Irish-American leaders who give freely of their time, expertise, experience and contacts to assist in the promotion of our economic interests. I wish publicly to place on record my thanks to each and every one of them for this very practical expression of their goodwill towards Ireland.
The main topics which arose at the meeting on 17 March were: additional steps which might be taken to promote US tourism to Ireland, North and South; further development and promotion of the International Financial Services Centre in Dublin; and the organisation of the White House Conference on trade and investment scheduled to take place in May.
Specific suggestions were made in relation to all three areas. Deputies will, however, appreciate that given the nature of the Economic Advisory Board it would not be appropriate for me, nor has it been the practice of my predecessor to publicise the precise suggestions made at its meetings.
I appreciate that. Is it the intention to continue the work of the Economic Advisory Board? The Taoiseach acknowledged that its membership includes some very powerful business people. Perhaps he will also acknowledge that it is the brainchild of his predecessor who was criticised for going to the board when it was set up. Is it the Taoiseach's view that opportunities exist in the United States for further developing the centre?
I intend to continue consulting the board. It is very valuable and I will meet it as often as practicable. I give credit to my predecessor for establishing it and have done so freely to the board and elsewhere. There is scope for further development of the centre, the full potential of which has not yet been realised.
It is not easy to co-ordinate efforts to try to promote and market the International Financial Services Centre. Was the Taoiseach involved in any initiatives with the advisory group which could help co-ordination of the effort? If not, will he consider that matter? I was involved in some of those discussions in the autumn and contend we could improve on focusing the marketing effort in the United States.
The people on the board are best suited to advise us on that. The board has established a small sub-committee to specifically promote the IFSC. Not only will it make recommendations to us but, more importantly, it is using its networks in the American business world to contact others and make them aware of the attractions of the IFSC. Those arrangements are good and are working reasonably well. My role is to assist them and meet people, whenever desirable, but it is not for me to prescribe how it should be done. Those who are involved in it know best how to do it.
There will be several hundred American people at the investment conference. Will the Taoiseach suggest to the organisers that it would be a suitable opportunity for the IFSC to spell out its successes which are not generally known?
At the White House Conference in May arrangements will be made to communicate the attractions of the IFSC and the detailed arrangements for the conference, as far as the Irish side is concerned, are being handled by the Tánaiste. I have no doubt he will take account of the Deputy's suggestion.
The Taoiseach mentioned tourism. As only one US airline flies into Ireland will he ask the advisory board to use its good offices to assist the Government in its efforts to get additional US airlines?
The Deputy is raising a special matter which is worthy of a separate question.