Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2013
107. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the relationship that is in place between his agencies and the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that overseas trade opportunities are being maximised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18661/13]
View answerEnterprise Ireland works very closely with its sister agencies, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia and other relevant bodies, to achieve the objectives set for the agencies by Government that involves trade promotion activities. Core to this work is the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, as Enterprise Ireland’s parent Department, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on trade promotion. Enterprise Ireland also works closely with other Government Departments, such as Agriculture, Food and Marine, and Education and Skills, on developing specific sector export opportunities and enhancing the capabilities of these sectors to win more exports.
In terms of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, collaboration is strong with Enterprise Ireland’s international offices co-located with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or another agency wherever possible. This involves 22 of EI’s 29 locations overseas. A key forum is also the Export Trade Council which was established by Government. Enterprise Ireland’s Chief Executive Frank Ryan attends the Council, chaired by the Tanaiste and that forum has a key role in fostering a collaborative approach to building Ireland’s trade base.
The relationship and collaboration between Enterprise Ireland and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is strong at all levels both in Ireland and in overseas markets. In Ireland, Enterprise Ireland have a strong collaborative relationship with the Trade and Promotion Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on a wide range of areas, including:
- Developing Ministerial led Enterprise Ireland Trade missions and events. 16 such Trade Missions were undertaken in 2012, double the number in 2011, with 18 scheduled during 2013.
- Joint Economic Commissions (JECs)
- Messaging overseas
- Annual Market plans for each priority market as agreed with the Government’s Export Trade Council.
Overseas there is equally strong collaboration in individual territories between the relevant Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade team led by the relevant Ambassador or Consul General in that market. This interaction covers a wide range of areas including;
- Detailed information sharing and joint working,
- Discussion on priorities and coordinating the focus of activities in the particular market,
- Coordination on trade promotion activities,
- Leveraging various networks such as the Global Irish Network,
- Development and implementation of action plans / priorities for Joint Economic Commissions where we have such JEC’s,
- Leveraging Ministerial visits and International Trade Missions,
- Influencing discussions on trade issues / barriers where in some instances these represent a barrier to growth in bilateral trade with a particular country.
It is worth noting, however, that the vast majority of Enterprise Ireland’s work overseas by its nature is direct detailed one to one client company work, assisting the thousands of existing and potential exporting Irish companies to identify specific potential market opportunities, evaluate those opportunities, develop detailed plans and strategies to target and secure new customers in new markets/sectors and build their export sales in those markets. Assisting Irish companies to develop and grow new and increased export sales in international markets is central to the creation and sustainment of much needed jobs in Ireland and is the primary focus and the targets by which Enterprise Ireland export activities is measured.
EI are closely linked with development of EU Free Trade Agreements that are being negotiated with important centres of economic growth in Asia, for example with Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia and with major economic players globally such as Canada and Japan. The proposed trade and partnership agreement with the U.S. will considerably enhance the opportunities for EI client exports in this important market.
