Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2016
187. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of companies based in Northern Ireland that have been assisted in business and trade promotion or participated in business events organised through the embassy and consulate network throughout the world in each the years 2010 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35645/16]
View answerIreland’s network of Embassies and Consulates worldwide works to promote Ireland’s international trade, tourism and investment priorities in close co-ordination with key stakeholders including Tourism Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Bord Bia. Our missions host a large number of trade and economic events and liaise closely with governments and the private sector in their countries of accreditation to support Irish exporters, to promote Ireland as a location for investment and to enhance our international reputation.
The Government also supports cross-border economic flow through the work of North-South bodies such as InterTradeIreland, which is working to reduce trade barriers and to develop economic links between businesses on both sides of the Border. InterTradeIreland is making a significant impact building the exporting capability of SMEs and creating jobs in both jurisdictions.
Although information of the type requested by the Deputy is not kept centrally, our network of diplomatic and consular offices continues to be available to assist Northern Ireland businesses and joint North-South trade missions. Furthermore, Embassies and Consulates have, through events and promotional activities, supported Tourism Ireland’s hugely successful work promoting tourism to the island of Ireland on a cross-border basis.
We continue to reach out to Northern Ireland’s economic and business sector to grow cross-border economic links. The attendance and participation by business figures from Northern Ireland at the recent All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit, for instance, was very welcome, and it is clear from our contacts that the Northern Ireland business community recognises how much the economies North and South can gain from co-operation.
