Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2014
113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which new trading partners continue to be identified throughout the globe; the extent to which this continues to improve the position for Irish companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45528/14]
View answer115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which in the course of the ongoing foreign policy review it is intended to have special regard for new trade opportunities; if consular or other diplomatic appointments are likely to remain a feature of the need for establishment of new markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45530/14]
View answer116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the network of Irish embassies abroad has developed its capacity in promoting increased trade between Ireland and the various countries with which we have diplomatic representation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45532/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 115 and 116 together.
Advancing Ireland's trade, tourism, education and investment objectives, and economic diplomacy more generally, is an important aspect of Ireland’s foreign policy and of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy network.
My Department has responsibility for the Export Trade Council, which I chair, and which oversees implementation of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy in co-operation with all relevant Government Departments and State Agencies. This co-operation at home is underpinned by the Local Market Teams, which are chaired by our Ambassadors in priority markets abroad.
In the review of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, published earlier this year, seven additional high potential and exploratory markets were identified to increase our engagement with high growth markets in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Building on this review, new Embassies have been opened in Bangkok (Thailand), Jakarta (Indonesia), Nairobi (Kenya) and Zagreb (Croatia), alongside the reopening of Ireland’s Embassy to the Holy See. Consulates-General have also been opened in Hong Kong (China), and Austin (Texas, USA) and a Consulate-General will be opened in Sao Paulo (Brazil) in the coming months. These new Embassies and Consulates will strengthen Ireland’s capacity to take advantage of emerging opportunities in these important markets, and will complement the existing trade promotion work of our Embassy network.
The contribution which economic diplomacy and the work of the Embassy network is making to the Government's objectives of job creation and growth has been an important theme in the preparation of the review of Ireland’s foreign policy, which is being undertaken in my Department. I expect to bring the outcome of this review to Government for consideration shortly.
