Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss role of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in trade promotion and economic recovery

Based in Dublin, Asia Matters is an independent and apolitical think tank that facilitates the development of EU Asia business and cultural relations through online and offline communications and events.

Committee Chairman, Pat Breen TD said: “Asia is rapidly developing into a key trading region for Irish companies. Between 1999 and 2009, Irish trade with Asian countries grew by more than 300% and there are now more than 250 Irish companies with a presence in that continent.

Tomorrow, we will meet with Martin Murray from Asia Matters to discuss how we can further develop trade and investment in Asia and consider the challenges and opportunities that exist in that market.

Given recent visits by the Taoiseach and various Ministers to Asian countries, it is also an opportunity to get Mr Murray’s perspective on the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in trade promotion and economic recovery and consider how the Department may coordinate its efforts with business representative organisations to manage, organise and promote international trade.”

This meeting will start in Committee Room 1, Leinster House at 5pm on Wednesday, 30th January.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:

http://bit.ly/24YmPI

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

Seán Crowe, TD
Pat Breen, TD (Chairman)
Eric Byrne, TD
Olivia Mitchell, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, TD
Gerald Nash, TD
Dan Neville, TD
Maureen O’Sullivan, TD
Brendan Smith, TD

Senators

Deirdre Clune,
Mark Daly,
Lorraine Higgins,
Michael Mullins,
David Norris,
Jim Walsh.