25 MFómh 2012, 11:37
The Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will consider the general issue of Irish exports with John Whelan, chief executive of the Irish Exporters Association at its meeting today, Tuesday, 25th September. The Committee will also discuss the findings of Beverage Exports 2000-2011 report when it meets with representatives from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland.
Committee Chairman Damien English, TD said: “Exports have been identified and highlighted as an integral part of Ireland’s economic recovery. At our meeting tomorrow we will have an opportunity to get a general overview of the situation regarding Irish exports from the Irish Exporters Association. It offers us the chance to examine the challenges faced by Irish companies involved in exporting, such as access to credit, the cost of doing business and skills shortages in foreign languages and international selling capabilities. We will also have a chance to consider measures to further support our exports. Therefore, it will also be interesting to meet with representatives from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland to discuss their report Beverage Exports 2000-2011. That report values Irish alcohol exports at over €1 billion, ranking Ireland 11th in the world in terms of drinks exporters. We’re looking forward to getting an indepth analysis of this report, in particular the steps taken by the drinks industry to boost exports. It is important that we learn from this success and seek to replicate it in other sectors.”
The Committee meeting takes place on Tuesday, 25th September in Committee Room 2, LH2000 at 1.30pm.
Committee proceedings can be followed live online via this link: http://bit.ly/24YmPI
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Deputies: Michael Conaghan, Damien English (Chair), Brendan Griffin, John Halligan, Seán Kyne, Anthony Lawlor, John Lyons (Vice-Chair), Willie O’Dea and Peadar Tóibín.
Senators: Deirdre Clune, David Cullinane, John Kelly, Michael Mullins, Feargal Quinn and Mary White