Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 3 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 7

Written Answers - Industrial Promotion.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

97 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of promotional tours abroad she has undertaken in the past six months; the countries she has visited; the extent of investment achieved in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26242/98]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

It is a statutory function of IDA Ireland under the Industrial Development Acts, and section 8 (a) of the 1993 Act in particular, to promote the establishment and development in the State of industrial undertakings from outside the State.

As regards participation by me in promotional activities, I have, at the request of IDA Ireland, led three promotional visits to the following overseas locations:

Country	Date
US	June 1998
Italy	September 1998
German	November 1998

On these promotional visits, I met with a range of existing IDA Ireland clients and potential new investors and I expect positive investment decisions to emerge from these endeavours.

IDA Ireland has achieved remarkable success in attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland in recent years; the results for 1997 being the fourth record year in succession. Almost 250 investment projects were negotiated by IDA Ireland involving new greenfield projects or expansions of existing investments. As a result, just under 15,000 new jobs were created during the year.