asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps, if any, he has taken to identify international market niches for Irish products; the nature of his activities in this respect; where he believes the areas of greatest potential and opportunity lie for Irish industry and commerce; the supports, if any, he intends to apply directly in relation to developing that potential; and if he will outline, as specifically as possible, the sectors and the scale of the opportunities identified by his Department and the support agencies.
Written Answers. - Markets for Irish Products.
48.
International market niches for Irish products are identified through continuous monitoring and research by CTT the agency charged with the promotion and development of exports. When opportunities are identified they are brought to the attention of those exporters in the best position to exploit them successfully. As this is an inherent part of export promotion the full range of CTT's support services are available for this activity.
As a supplementary support the recently introduced special trading house scheme will assist the exploitation of new market opportunities by involving private marketing specialists in the activity.
I would refer the Deputy to section V of the Programme for National Recovery which sets out the sectors and scale of opportunity identified for exploitation. I can assure the Deputy that the support agencies under my Department are applying their full range of services in supporting exporters.