Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2015
559. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which his Department, in conjunction with other Government Departments, continues to promote trade and commercial activity, through the various industries worldwide, with particular reference to the importance of promoting Irish produce and establishing new trade links; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15689/15]
View answer564. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which this country continues to establish new markets abroad, for various Irish products such as agri-food, information technology and pharmaceuticals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15694/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 564 together.
Advancing Ireland's trade, tourism, education and investment objectives, as well as economic diplomacy more generally, is a key priority in Ireland's foreign policy and in the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy network.
The Government's Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, 'Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, 2010 - 2015', identified a number of numerical targets to be achieved by the end of 2015 across five high level areas: jobs, exports, diversification of exports, tourism, and inward investment. These targets were revised in the Review of Government Trade Strategy, published in February 2014, which included the addition of a numerical target in international education. The implementation of these targets is monitored by the Export Trade Council, which I chair.
The numerical targets are, for the most part, not industry-specific. However we work in close cooperation with the relevant Departments and State agencies responsible for all industry sectors.
In terms of overall exports, including in the IT and pharmaceutical sectors, we continue to work closely with Enterprise Ireland, particularly through the organisation and coordination of the annual Enterprise Ireland programme of Ministerial-led trade missions and events. Early each year I agree the annual programme with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, based on the proposals submitted by Enterprise Ireland and focused on the priority markets of interest to their client companies.
In the case of the agri-food industry, we cooperate closely with Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine in promoting the Irish food and beverage sector internationally. With the active engagement of our Embassy network, we have had a number of recent high-level successes. A notable example includes Ireland becoming in 2015 the only European country to have access to both the US and the Chinese beef markets.
With regard to developing new markets for Irish products, while the majority of Irish services and merchandise exports go to Europe and the US, and we must continue to cultivate these markets, the Government is also strongly focused on the further development of trading partnerships with other important emerging markets.
As part of the review of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, seven additional high potential and exploratory markets were identified to increase our engagement with high growth markets in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Following the Review, eight new Embassies and Consulates were opened in the past year to take advantage of emerging opportunities in important markets and to complement the existing trade promotion work of our Embassy network.
The Embassy network plays a crucial role in proactively addressing market access issues, supporting Irish businesses seeking to grow overseas, holding promotional events for, and in association with, State agencies, as well as actively contributing to the organisation and conduct of Ministerial-led trade missions and events overseas.
