Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to monitor difficulties experienced by Irish exporters arising from Brexit; the measures in place or proposed in respect of these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44172/21]
View answerThe performance of the import and export sectors has been significantly impacted over the last three years by both Brexit and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as we cautiously emerge from these necessary public health restrictions and global markets begin to open again, the Government will continue to help businesses in their next phase of recovery and adaptation.
My Department has invested to help businesses overcome these challenges. To deliver on this working with our agency Enterprise Ireland the strategic priorities are to strengthen Irish enterprise to respond to market shocks and disruption in response to COVID-19 and Brexit.
To drive transformational change and the pace of innovation transitioning to new business models, digitalisation and the low carbon economy and to scale and grow the export and start-up base, across regions and sectors and grow companies of all sizes.
Last week, I led the first in-person Trade Mission following the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and since the onset of Covid-19, to London, Paris and Berlin to assist the accelerated export-led recovery of Irish businesses in the UK and Eurozone, Ireland’s closest markets. 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. This mission offered the opportunity to build relationships and increase awareness of Ireland’s offering and why it is an attractive place to invest.
As well as the global efforts driven by our agencies, key to our success in growing exports has been our commitment to trade liberalisation in order to establish new markets for our indigenous sectors. With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to our continued economic growth and, in this regard, Ireland will continue to help the EU’s ambitious programme of negotiating new Free Trade Agreements, opening new markets for Irish companies and increasing export and investment opportunities.
