Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
71. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of joint trade missions involving officials and industry representatives from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland undertaken to date in 2017; the number planned for the remainder of 2017 and for 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34505/17]
View answerTrade missions are a central element of the Government’s support for Ireland’s exports, inward investment, tourism, and international education. An intensive programme of trade missions is a key part of our overall strategy of pursuing market diversification and building resilience into our economy in response to changes in the global trade and investment environment, and the complex challenges presented by Brexit.
On the 25th May 2017 Enterprise Ireland partnered with Invest NI and Buildoffsite (Buildoffsite is a membership organisation with members from a wide range of UK and International client, supply, professional services and academic organisations), for an event in the Irish Embassy in London. 25 Enterprise Ireland clients and 10 Invest NI clients attended with 80 other industry executives at this networking event. There are currently no further joint events planned for the remainder of 2017 or 2018.
From the 13th to the 16th of June, Enterprise Ireland managed the Ireland stand at New Zealand National Fieldays 2017 with support from Invest NI. 8 agritech companies from Northern Ireland shared an Ireland stand at this event which is regarded as the ultimate launch platform for Irish companies to showcase their cutting edge technology and innovative agri- business solutions to the market.
NSAI held one of its ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 management systems roadshows in Belfast on 24th February. No further events in Northern Ireland are planned by NSAI for 2017.
It is also worth noting that Science Foundation Ireland hosts events and engagements in Washington DC as part of the Taoisesach's St. Patrick's Day Programme. Contacts from institutions in Northern Ireland, for example, InterTradeIreland and the Department of Economy are invited to attend those events. In addition, those researchers and senior officials from Higher Education Institutes in Northern Ireland that are involved in tri-jurisdictional research projects involving researchers in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the US are also invited to participate.
