Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
344 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a schedule of 15 ministerial-led trade missions has been completed; if he will publish the schedule; if not, when this will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20063/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 19 ministerial-led trade missions are planned for 2012. To date six have been successfully completed. I myself officiated with the Taoiseach on the recent Mission to China, and also last month, Minister of State Sherlock led a Mission to Texas, USA and Minister of State Perry was in Sweden and Finland. Other Missions undertaken recently have included Minister Coveney's visit to China last week and Minister of State Cannon's educational Mission to China and Minister of State Costello's Mission to Turkey, both last month. In addition to these formal Missions, several Ministers officiated at Trade events which were included in St. Patrick's Day programmes. For example, I myself undertook several days' trade promotion and investment promotion work during my visit to the San Francisco area at that time.
Planned destinations to come later this year include Missions to the USA, India, UK (2), Russia, France, Brazil, Italy, China, Japan, Canada (plus Seattle USA), South Africa and three Gulf States. Exact dates and the participation of the relevant Ministers to lead these events, will be finalised in due course. It is also possible that some destinations may need to be changed, depending on circumstances.
