Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
60. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on his recent trade mission to the UK, France and Germany respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43421/21]
View answer67. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his recent visit to the UK and the meetings with his UK counterparts on issues including Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43371/21]
View answer129. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the recent trade mission to the UK, France and Germany; the number of Irish companies that have expanded into these markets during the Covid-19 pandemic period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43727/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 67 and 129 together.
Last week I led a three-day Enterprise Ireland and IDA trade mission to the UK, France and Germany to support the accelerated export-led recovery of Irish businesses in the UK and Eurozone.
This was the first in-person trade mission undertaken following the EU-UK Trade Agreement and following the onset of Covid-19.
The UK, France and Germany combined represent 39% of total Enterprise Ireland client exports in 2020, with over 2,300 Enterprise Ireland client companies exporting to these three markets.
Over the last 12 months, 95 EI client companies have set up a new presence on the ground in the UK, French and German markets, representing a broad range of sectors including digital technology, life sciences, construction, fintech, energy and transport.
Across the three-days, the trade mission supported the growth of 35 Enterprise Ireland client companies, engaged on the programme. I also met with a number of IDA Ireland existing and target client companies during the mission from the financial, telecommunications, insurance and e-commerce sectors.
One thing that struck me during the mission was the extent of regional investment in Ireland from the companies I met - from Waterford, to Shannon, to Tuam and Athlone.
While in Paris, I met with the French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire and we discussed a broad range of issues including French Presidency planning for Trade and COMPET council, Brexit and Digital issues.
And in London, I took the opportunity to meet with senior Cabinet Minister Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest, including Brexit and the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
I emphasised the position that the Irish Government has consistently taken on the Protocol which is that it is the agreed solution between the UK and the EU to the problems caused by Brexit for the island of Ireland.
While acknowledging that there are clearly issues impacting trade in Northern Ireland that need to be addressed, I indicated the Irish Government view that solutions do exist, within the parameters of the Protocol, for many of the trading difficulties that businesses in Northern Ireland have been experiencing.
I referred to the EU’s consistent willingness to respond positively to the concerns of the people in Northern Ireland in terms for instance of the extension in June 2021 of grace periods under the Protocol. The continued priority by the EU to the Protocol is also clear from the 2-day visit by Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to Northern Ireland last week to work closely with the political, business and civic leaders in a solution focussed manner.
I encouraged the UK Government in return, to work in partnership with the EU in a spirit of positive and constructive engagement in order to identify pragmatic and sustainable solutions to the outstanding issues around the implementation of the Protocol. However, the Protocol cannot be renegotiated.
Just prior to my visit to the UK, I visited Northern Ireland and met with business representatives and heard at first-hand the opportunities they see, including on an all-island and cross border basis, and on the types of issues and challenges they are dealing with.
Ministerial-led trade missions support the Government’s major drive towards market diversification and export growth. As the Covid-19 situation improves and international travel returns I look forward to supporting the work of our agencies on future trade and investment missions.
