Vol. 465 No. 6
51 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he has satisfied himself that there is sufficient contact with Irish groups and organisations in Britain and the United States of America for the development of trade for Irish products. [4554/96]
Irish business associations play an extremely helpful role in complementing the State's promotional efforts in several important markets around the world.
The Foreign Earnings Committee which I chair is responsible for the co-ordination of our promotional activities in the main overseas markets. The committee, which includes representatives from the promotional State agencies and the Department of Foreign Affairs, is very conscious of this role and its potential to assist national promotional efforts overseas.
I am advised that in the United States there is excellent co-operation between our diplomatic representation, the State agencies and the Irish-American business community. Pre-eminent is the Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board, chaired by the Taoiseach, which brings together senior US business figures with Irish ties to provide advice and assistance to the Irish Government and business. Other organisations with which contact is maintained include the Ireland-US Council for Commerce and Industry, the Irish-American Partnership, the Irish Chamber of Commerce in the US, the Irish Business Organisation of New York and numerous others which operate on a regional basis.
In Britain there are also many Irish people in senior commercial positions who are well disposed to furthering Ireland's economic interests and who play a very positive role in support of the promotional agencies and the Irish Embassy. An Bord Tráchtála, in co-operation with the Embassy and the other agencies, is currently developing specific initiatives aimed at channelling this goodwill in a structured and co-ordinated manner.
