Seán Doherty
Question:13 Mr. Doherty asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the policy initiatives, if any, he has introduced to facilitate international trading opportunities for the services sector in the former Soviet bloc states. [2518/97]
Written Answers. - International Trading Opportunities.
Willie O'Dea
Question:39 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the policy initiatives, if any, he has introduced to facilitate international trading opportunities for the services sector in South East Asia. [2522/97]
John Browne
Question:40 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the policy initiatives, if any, he has introduced to facilitate international trading opportunities for the services sector in the Gulf states. [2517/97]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 13, 39 and 40 together.
The promotion of Irish exports from particular sectors to particular markets is a matter for the board of An Bord Tráchtála — ABT. Under section 6 (1) of the Trade and Marketing Promotion Act, 1991, the board is charged with promoting, assisting and developing "in any manner which the board considers necessary or desirable" the marketing of Irish goods and certain services. Accordingly, any promotional initiatives of the type envisaged in the questions are day-to-day matters for ABT and inquiries, therefore, should be addressed directly to ABT.