Helen Keogh
Question:10 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the benefits, if any, expected to be derived from his attendance at the Washington conference. [10837/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Washington Conference.
Pat the Cope Gallagher
Question:27 Mr. P. Gallagher (Donegal South West) asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the policies he is pursuing to ensure that Irish tourism benefits from the Washington conference. [10724/95]
Pat the Cope Gallagher
Question:45 Mr. P. Gallagher (Donegal South West) asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the policies he is pursuing to maximise growth in Irish trade following the Washington conference. [10723/95]
Mary Harney
Question:51 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the impact, if any, he expects on trade and tourism in Ireland following the investment conference in Washington; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10754/95]
David Andrews
Question:148 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will make a statement concerning the success or otherwise of the Washington investment conference in relation to trade affairs. [10942/95]
Tony Killeen
Question:152 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the policies he is pursuing to ensure that Irish tourism benefits from the Washington conference. [10841/95]
Tony Killeen
Question:157 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the policies, if any, he is pursuing to maximise growth in Irish trade following the Washington conference. [10862/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 27, 45, 51, 148, 152 and 157 together.
The greatest achievement of the Washington conference was a raising of the profile of Ireland and of Irish tourism and trade. It also highlighted the business opportunities which exist for US investors in both Northern Ireland and the Border counties. The conference was not an end in itself, but rather a beginning. Business decisions are not made instantly and it is too soon to quantify the economic benefits. However, the spotlight has now been firmly turned on the region and it remains for all of us to build on the opportunities presented.
The potential for investment in Ireland received the fullest possible endorsement from President Clinton and US Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. Ireland was promoted as the ideal European base for US companies to do business. As a result I understand that An Bord Tráchtála is receiving additional inquiries from US firms about trade opportunities and partnerships. As a follow-up to the conference ABT is working closely with the US Department of Commerce on US trade missions to Ireland. Throughout the conference, ABT and the Industrial Development Board of Northern Ireland co-operated closely. There was much networking between firms on both sides of the Border.
With regard to tourism, I expect that this will be a record year for visitors from the US and we hope to receive more than 500,000 visitors. I am convinced that the conference was particularly helpful in reinforcing the message of peace. The planned visit of President Clinton to Ireland this year will greatly add to this.
I understand from Bord Fáilte that it is currently discussing US capital investments of over £55 million in the Republic in respect of a number of specific projects. Other potential investment opportunities are also being followed up.
I was delighted to sign a joint communiqué with the US Secretary of Commerce, Ron Brown, and my counterpart in Belfast, Baroness Denton, which reinforced our joint determination to promote tourism throughout Ireland, develop initiatives to increase private sector investment and improve training for the sector. This communiqué was proof positive of the support which the Clinton administration is giving to Irish tourism, and it is another example of effective cross-Border co-operation.
We are very pleased with the role of President Clinton at the Washington conference. I was interested in the figure on upcoming projects. Is the Minister linking that to the conference or is it part of an ongoing programme? Where does the Minister expect the benefits to accrue?
Will they be in the area of tourism? Does the Minister expect a greater benefit in trade or industrial development? What is his view on the partnerships that might evolve between Irish and US companies? Is that an area that can be developed as a result of the Washington conference or will it be simply a case of trade missions coming here?
More than 1,000 delegates attended the conference and there was a great deal of interaction between businesses here and in the US. At any one time about 100 prime ministers wish to see the President of the United States, yet he, the Vice-President, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce and special economic adviser devoted two days to investment and trade in Ireland, with specific reference to Northern Ireland and the Border counties. In terms of trade there were some very good break-out sessions and much contact was made between businesses north and south of the Border and their American counterparts. It is much too early to say what the results will be. It could be 12, 15 or 18 months before any definite results are evident. Many of the people involved in this process may see results much sooner and I hope that is the case.
From a tourism point of view the fact that the communiqué was signed and agreed on behalf of the three Governments endorses that view. I understand a well attended tourism breakout session has led to a great deal of contact between would-be investors in terms of leisure and other facilities and I am sure it will pay dividends. It is early to ascertain the level of benefits that will flow from that conference, but the fundamental message given by the US President is that Ireland is a good place in which to invest, that it makes good commercial sense to invest here, that American corporate companies can make a profit here. It is a gateway to Europe, we speak the same language and have a great deal of flexibility and a high degree of training. I found it somewhat ironic that 150 years after the misery of emigration to the United States after the Famine, representatives of Irish business and tourism were in a position to attend a conference in Washington and request representatives of American companies to invest in Ireland. It was a good conference which generated a great deal of enthusiasm. I expect it will give rise to a great deal of business and we are hoping for a good result from it.
I accept that the Minister is in a feel good mood following the conference and to an extent he is basking in the reflected glory. Have a number of companies given a commitment to invest or are they investigating specific areas? Having spent many years in business, I am aware we may feel good about matters, but it is important to follow them up. We do not want reassurances, we want orders and to secure the business. Can the Minister point to the Washington conference having given rise to specific projects? Is he confident that particular firms are interested in establishing plants here?
The £55 million to which I referred relates to facilities and proposals which predate the conference, but they would probably have been initiated in the light of the conference taking place. Regarding following up potential investors, Bord Tráchtála together with the IDA undertakes such work on a continuing basis. I do not want to refer to specific companies as the Deputy is aware from experience what may happen if an announcement or reference is made in that context. I can report to the Deputy that there is a great deal of activity taking place between American businesses and the IDA on possible investments.
On 12 June officials of my Department met officials of the Department of Economic Development. The US Department of Commerce is involved in these meetings. The next one will take place in July to follow up potential American investors and correlate activities in light of President Clinton's forthcoming visit to Ireland. We are planning for progress in this area and we are determined not only to use the feel good factor following the conference but to build on it to secure tangible results.
How many US companies participated directly in the conference and how does that figure compare with the number of Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland companies which participated?
I do not have the full list of companies, but I can supply it to the Deputy. The conference was organised by the American side at the invitation of President Clinton and I understand a Presidential invitation to attend the conference was issued to approximately 900 American companies. I am not sure of the exact number of companies represented. I will supply the Deputy with the full list if she requires that information. I do not know the exact number of Irish companies, North and South, which attended but they were well represented.
The time for dealing with Priority Questions is now exhausted, but we may deal with the final two questions in the category of ordinary questions.