Representatives from the IDA, ABT and other State agencies and private companies accompanied me on a business mission to South Africa last November. I gave a detailed report of my visit to the House on 18 December last when I indicated that the realisible potential of the market for Irish goods and services would be best served, in the short term, by the appointment of a trade consultant there rather than by the opening of a trade office. That is still the position and An Bord Tráchtála are currently engaged in appointing such a consultant.
ABT are also further researching South Africa as a market for Irish exporters. The outcome of this work will be reviewed with potential exporters prior to possible sectoral missions in late 1992 and in 1993.
I have been advised by the IDA that at present they are not considering the opening of an office in South Africa. The IDA are working on developing the contacts established during the mission and should business develop significantly, they would consider the possiblity of establishing an office in South Africa. The decision will depend on the likely business to be generated by such an office and the costs of operating it.
As I indicated in December last, our interests in time would be served by having a trade office in Johannesburg. An Bord Tráchtála do not feel it would be appropriate to open such an office within the next six to nine months but will keep the matter under review.