Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 5

Written Answers. - Matchmaker Programme.

James Leonard

Question:

17 Mr. Leonard asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, made to date with the matchmaker programme, 50 Border companies matched with American companies, which emerged from the Washington trade conference. [5761/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The primary focus of the White House Conference for Trade and Investment in Ireland was to ensure that business representatives from the US, Northern Ireland and the Border counties were facilitated in every way possible in making contact with each other so that trade and investment opportunities could be identified and pursued.

An important element in this regard was the "matchmaker" programme promoted by the US Department of Commerce. This enabled selected Irish companies attending the conference to have contact with relevant US companies with a view to co-operation in areas of mutual business interest.

A number of follow-up activities have taken place since the Washington conference.

In October 1995, the late US Assistant Secretary at the Department of Commerce, Mr. Clarke Meissner, led a business matchmaker mission to Northern Ireland and the six Border counties of 19 US companies who were seeking Irish partners. During the visit, meetings were arranged with a range of companies from the Border counties. It is anticipated that positive results will emerge from this initiative.

In November 1995, my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Deputy Richard Bruton, accompanied executives from 26 Irish companies to the US. Meetings were held with potential US partner companies who were identified on the basis of the pre-defined specific needs of the Irish companies.

There is an ongoing follow-up programme to develop these contacts involving the appropriate State agencies on both sides and the individual companies. Initial follow-up has indicated that second phase discussions are likely with approximately 60 per cent of the companies involved.

It would be premature to forecast the final outcome at this point as the development of partnerships often takes a significant amount of time from initial contact to implementation of business arrangements. I am confident, however, that they will lead to concrete results in terms of increased US investment on the island of Ireland. In June a further US inward investment mission in the information technology sector is planned.

At the conclusion of the White House Conference for Trade and Investment in Ireland last May, it was envisaged that a follow-up conference would be convened to review progress. During the Taoiseach's visit to Washington in March, it was announced that a follow-up event would be held in Philadelphia in the autumn. While I am not yet in a position to provide details on what format the conference will take, I am confident that there will be a significant focus on the continued development of business partnerships and strategic alliances between Irish and US companies.