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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - US Trade Delegation.

John Gormley

Question:

64 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the achievements of the US trade delegation led by Mr Bill Daley during its time in this jurisdiction and in Northern Ireland. [14833/98]

The US Secretary of Commerce, Mr William Daley, led a business development mission to Northern Ireland and the Border counties from 7-11 June 1998. It was the first business development mission to Ireland since the British-Irish Agreement. The US business delegation comprised 18 US companies and included representatives of several large US corporations. The visit is concrete evidence of the political and economic commitment of the US to peace and prosperity in Ireland.

My Department and the promotional agencies prepared a comprehensive programme for the US delegation which allowed them to make a first hand assessment of the advantages of the Border counties from the perspective of trade, investment, technology transfer and business to business partnerships. The programme, which was situated in Sligo at the request of the US side, emphasised the advantages and strengths of the Border counties and the potential for improved economic growth and development there which arise from the Northern Ireland peace settlement.

The US delegation had the opportunity to meet a wide range of business and investment interests in the Border counties and more than 30 company to company discussions took place on a range of matters of mutual interest. I have no doubt that this intensive level of contact will mean we can look forward to strengthened business contacts between US companies and the Border counties in the coming years. I availed of the meeting with Secretary Daley to restate the Government's appreciation for the roles played by President Clinton and Senator Mitchell in the peace negotiations. I also emphasised the importance of continued US support as we move now to comprehensive implementation of the British-Irish Agreement in order that the political and economic peace can be made clear to all the people on the island of Ireland. I am satisfied that the visit has strengthened our contacts with the US side on trade and investment matters and I intend to avail of those contacts to continue to press the case for strengthened US trade and investment in Ireland.

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