Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014
189. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there are any plans to establish a trade czar to work with our embassies in the promotion of Ireland as a trading partner and as a place for businesses to set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2884/14]
View answerSince coming into office, the Government has made some key changes in the coordination of trade, tourism and investment promotion overseas.
A centrally important development has been the establishment of an Export Trade Council (ETC), which I chair. The role of the ETC is to strengthen cooperation and coordination across all Government Departments and State agencies involved in the promotion and development of trade, tourism and investment, and to oversee the progressive implementation of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy. Other Members of the Council include Minister Bruton, Minister Varadkar, Minister Coveney and Minister of State Costello. Other relevant Departments are represented at senior official level, while the CEOs of Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, SFI and Tourism Ireland are also members. In addition, the private sector is represented on the Council through representatives of IBEC and the IEA, as well as through the participation of a number of individuals from the private sector with a track record in the relevant sectors.
The ETC also oversees the work of Local Market Teams, which have been established in Ireland’s 27 priority markets. These Teams are chaired by our Ambassadors on the ground and consist of representatives of the Embassy and the State agencies. Each Team is responsible for developing an annual Local Market Plan and the implementation of these plans is reviewed by the ETC.
A key task for my Department in the last year has been to coordinate a review of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy. The Review is designed to ensure that the State coordinates its efforts overseas in a manner which yields the best possible economic return and I look forward to presenting it in the coming weeks.
Given the already high level of coordination facilitated by the ETC and Local Market Team structures, the appointment of a “Trade Czar” is not under consideration at this time.
