Vol. 428 No. 2
78 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent, if any, to which it is proposed to utilise the services of Irish Embassies abroad in the promotion of Irish goods and services and the promotion of Ireland as an investment base; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A major part of the work of Irish embassies is to advance Ireland's economic interests abroad both at the Inter-State level and in support of Irish semi-State agencies and of Irish firms doing business abroad. In particular, our embassies attach a very high priority to the promotion of all aspects of foreign earnings including exports, tourism and attraction of inward investment to Ireland.
The precise nature of an embassy's role in these matters will depend on the nature and circumstances of the country in which it is located. For example, in the developed market economies of the OECD, Irish business interests and Irish exporters find it relatively easy to gain access and need not rely on the embassy for this. In many of these countries, too, there are local offices of Irish semi-State commercial and promotional agencies such as the Irish Trade Board, Bord Fáilte and the IDA. In such cases the marketing and promotional work is generally done by the relevant semi-State agency. The embassy will work in close co-operation with those agencies, and at their request, to achieve maximum impact in the promotion of Ireland's economic interests.
On the other hand, in certain other countries where we have embassies there may be much greater Government direction of the economy and market forces may play a lesser role. Furthermore, there may be no local office of any of the Irish semi-State promotional agencies and our embassy may well be the only agency of the Irish Government with a local presence in the country concerned. In such cases the role of the embassy will be much more in the area of practical and direct support for Irish business people seeking to develop the particular market in question. This support may include contact on behalf of exporters with key governmental decision makers and officials, help in obtaining visas and arranging business itineraries, help in resolving payment disputes and liaison with local agents and customs officials.
79 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of his promotion of Ireland as an investment location within the EC and outside the European Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Whenever possible in all of my contacts with other Foreign Ministers, businessmen and economic operators it is my normal practice to avail of every opportunity both to promote Ireland as an attractive location for investment from abroad and to resolve any difficulties which may arise for investors. Naturally all of our embassies also work in close co-operation with the IDA in the promotion of Ireland as an investment base.
In all discussions at international and EC level which might have implications for the attractiveness of Ireland as an investment base within the EC, I take whatever action is necessary to protect our interests as a matter of course.
