Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023
66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Irish embassies abroad, diplomatic missions or other representatives continue to promote Irish trade throughout the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50495/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is committed to supporting the Government's external economic objectives and the promotion of Ireland's trade and investment objectives, including through the work of the State’s network of embassies and consulates abroad.
The Department's approach is firmly guided by the Government's Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026: Value for Ireland, Values for the World . This involves working in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, including through the trade promotion work undertaken by Regional and Local Market teams.
Chaired by the relevant Ambassador, the Regional and Local Market teams see embassies and consulates working with State Agencies and other stakeholders on a Team Ireland approach to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and to support the development of trade, investment and tourism. Team Ireland also works to build education, science, technology and innovation partnerships; and to promote our culture and creative industries.
We saw the Team Ireland approach in action earlier this month when the Embassy in Seoul, working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, DFA Headquarters and a number of departments and the State Agencies, coordinated the inaugural Team Ireland Trade Mission Week to the Republic of Korea from 30 October to 3 November. Team Ireland Trade Mission Week 2023 provided a platform for the Taoiseach and Ministers Coveney, McConalogue and Harris to undertake over 40 high level engagements with political and economic decision-makers in the fourth largest economy in Asia.
In addition to supporting the State Agencies in the delivery of their strategic objectives, our Missions work on a range of trade-related issues, including market access, regulatory compliance, visas, phyto-sanitary issues, and Double Taxation Agreements. This work is particularly important in markets with limited or no State Agency presence. Furthermore, our diplomats regularly engage in economic and public diplomacy to advance Ireland’s prosperity, and to protect the rules based international order that is critical for the realisation of our enterprise, trade and investment priorities.
