Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 6

Written Answers - Trade Missions.

David Stanton

Question:

110 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 3 November 1998, she will give details of the 18 trade and market development missions mentioned, in particular the location and date of each one; the nature of missions and resulting outcomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23941/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

A list of the missions undertaken on behalf of Enterprise Ireland is attached.

As I indicated in my reply of 3 November to Deputy Stanton, part of my trade brief involves me, as Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, and my colleague, The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in trade negotiations and discussions aimed at opening markets in third countries in the EU and WTO context. In addition, we consider it vital to make time to lead the important trade and market development missions which, time after time, have demonstrated the value of a ministerial presence in guaranteeing the attention of important figures from the target country. I also undertake visits to companies' headquarters in Ireland to assist in their exporting efforts.

It is a key priority of this Government to maximise opportunities for Irish companies. Ministerial presence in trade missions ensures the participation of high level influencial persons from key target customer groups, whom Irish companies might find it impossible to meet otherwise. It allows access to senior political figures and important buyers and gives an opportunity to extend invitations at a senior level. In turn, such invitations can bring important buyers to Ireland thus increasing their understanding of the attractiveness of trade opportunities in Ireland.

Trade and Market Development Missions undertaken by the Ms Mary Harney, TD, Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Mr. Tom Kitt, TD, Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, on behalf of Enterprise Ireland.

Attendance	Date	Location	Nature of Mission
Minister Kitt	25-9-97 to 30-9-97	Tokyo	Market Development programme for ABT clients in the margins of ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) of Economic Ministers (25/28-9-98).
Tánaiste	14-10-97	Dublin	Discussions with delegation from Penang, Malaysia visiting Ireland regarding partnership programmes withselected Irish companies.
Minister Kitt	4-11-97	Dublin	Meeting with inward buyers from Siemens-ASI division.
Tánaiste	27-11-97	County Clare	Subsupply 1997 Trade Fair and Inward Buyer Project. Address and programme of meetings with participating companies
Minister Kitt	12-1-98	Dublin	Address to Seminar on “Argentina Business and Investment Development” organised by Argentine Embassy and TDI — Bilateral discussions with Argentine Ministers.
Minister Kitt	2-2-98	Belfast	Meeting with Minister Ingram re North-South trade and co-operation. Programme of meetings with IDB, CBI, ICTU.
Minister Kitt	7-3-98	Paris	Guest of Honour at a reception for Irish companies and their French clients
Minister Kitt	19-3-98	Cheltenham	Reception for Irish companies and their UK clients.
Minister Kitt	24-3-98 to 25-3-98	Hanover	Irish National Stand at the CeBIT exhibition Meeting with the Deputy Commissioner General of EXPO regarding Ireland's participation.
Minister Kitt	25-3-98	Paris	Reception and dinner at the Irish Embassy in Paris for Irish companies in the aerospace sector and their key customers in France.
Minister Kit	26-3-98	Toulouse	Trade Mission to Airbus in Toulouse with a delegation of Irish companies in the aerospace sector seeking to supply Airbus.
Tánaiste	28-5-98	London	Address at dinner at the Irish Embassy to which key buyers of British Multiples in the clothing sector were invited for briefing on Ireland's supply capability.
Tánaiste	26-8-98 to 30-8-98	Turkey	Participation at Izmir International Fair. Programme of meetings with business people in Izmir and with officials of Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen, in Istanbul.
Minister Kitt	8-7-98	Paris	Minister has follow-up meeting with Air-France to consolidate relations.
Minister Kitt	9-9-98	London	National Stand at Farnborough Air Show. Hosts Reception at Irish Embassy for clients of Irish companies in aerospace sector.
Tánaiste	9-9-98 to 12-9-98	Milan	Programme with Italtel to promote Irish supply capability in the telecommunications sector.
Minister Kitt	14-9-98 to 18-9-98	China	Trade Mission to China involving 30 Irish companies.
Minister Kitt	26-10-98 to 30-10-98	USA	Software Trade Mission to Silicon Valley, California and opened the new Enterprise Ireland Office in Campbell, California.