Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
194 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which new trading opportunities continue to be established at various locations; the extent to which such locations are in proximity to Irish embassies; the extent to which the opening of further embassies might be likely to assist in such efforts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25665/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra195 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which new markets continue to be established for Irish products throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25666/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.
Export-led growth is crucial for a small open economy like Ireland. The Government's Trade Strategy, formulated with the involvement of all the relevant Departments and State Agencies, seeks to build on our strengths in existing markets and to develop new opportunities in emerging economies. The Deputy will be aware that I established the Export Trade Council last year to oversee the implementation of the Strategy and that the membership includes Ministers, State Agencies and Departments responsible for trade, tourism and investment, as well as participants from the private sector. Under the Strategy, twenty seven priority market countries have been identified by the State Agencies in both established and emerging markets and there is a resident Embassy of Ireland in each of these. Our Ambassadors in these markets chair a local market team, with the involvement of the relevant State Agencies.
Emerging markets such as the BRICS countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — are, of course, priorities under the Government's Trade Strategy in seeking to develop new trading opportunities. We are already increasing our trade foot print in these markets. In the five years between 2006 and 2011 our Merchandise Exports to them have increased by 66%. During 2012, under the programme of Enterprise Ireland trade missions agreed by Minister Bruton and myself, each of these markets is being targeted. As the Deputy will be aware the Taoiseach and a number of Ministers have already visited China this year. In addition to the BRICS countries, there is also a focus on other key emerging markets. For example, in March the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello TD, led an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Turkey, involving a range of Irish companies, with the full support of the resident Embassy of Ireland in Ankara.
Our Embassy network is engaged on a continuous basis, and in close co-operation with the relevant State Agencies, in the drive to promote Ireland's economic reputation and trade. It is widely recognised as a very effective platform for accessing key political, economic and media contacts and business opportunities. The opening of an Embassy in the United Arab Emirates in 2009, to serve the crucial Gulf region alongside our existing Embassy in Saudi Arabia, and a new Consulate in Atlanta in 2011 was very much driven by economic and trading factors. Under the Government's Trade Strategy, all Government Departments and State Agencies are committed to monitoring the export environment and to deploying resources where they can have maximum impact in boosting Ireland's export growth. It would, of course, be desirable to open an Embassy of Ireland in a number of additional markets but this will have to await the availability of the necessary resources.
