Michael Smith
Ceist:31 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether his Department prefers to support exporters in the secondary and tertiary industry and services sector. [16858/95]
Written Answers. - Exporter Supports.
My Department does not provide direct support to exporters. This function is devolved, on a statutory basis, to An Bord Tráchtála and it is the board of ABT which determines the approach to particular sectors. The matters raised in the question, therefore, are the day-to-day responsibility of ABT.
However, I am aware that ABT are active, in support of indigenous exporters, in the areas mentioned by the Deputy. In particular, I know that a new International Services Programme, based on the findings of a major consultancy study — and drawing on the trade promotion references in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work and the Task Force on Jobs in Services — is being finalised by ABT and will seek, among other things, to broaden the base of our internationally-traded services sector.