asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement on the benefits that have accrued to Irish industrialists from the liaison established by the IDA with the European Business Centre; and if any firms in County Leitrim or County Roscommon have benefited or will benefit from this co-operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Business Centre Liaison.
42.
I understand that since the EEC Business Co-operation Centre, usually referred to as the "Marriage Bureau", commenced operations in May 1973, 71 Irish firms requested the Bureau's assistance and that 37 of these firms were put in contact with European companies also interested in partnership arrangements.
Discussions on partnership arrangements are conducted between the firms involved. As the Bureau has released no information on the outcome of these discussions I am not in a position to evaluate the benefits of its service to Irish industrialists. The Bureau does not disclose to third parties particulars of applicant companies. Consequently it is not possible to say whether any of the Irish companies involved were from Counties Leitrim or Roscommon.
Could I ask the Minister if CTT have a separate office in Brussels or if there is any liaison between the two offices?
It is more the responsibility of the IDA rather than CTT. I understand there is no formal liaison between the IDA and the EEC Business Co-operation Centre, but the IDA advises firms that come to it as to how to get in touch with the Brussels centre. It passes on inquiries; it acts as a conduit; but I think that the IDA is concerned to establish a liaison with the bureau, and negotiations for doing so are in progress, though it has not been finalised.
The Minister would agree there could be overlapping.
Yes. Negotiations are going on.
Not in that case alone, but in several others.