Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of meetings he attended, including a list of the attendees, during his recent visit to the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17167/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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On my recent visit to New York and Washington, I had a series of economic, financial, media and cultural engagements. These included meetings with the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, senior officials and representatives from various client companies and certain target IDA companies. While in New York my engagements included meetings with legal and financial market advisers including an investor lunch facilitated by the NTMA, a lunch hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as well as attending an official breakfast meeting at the New York Stock Exchange. The purpose of these meetings was to have an exchange of views on the global and European financial situation while also addressing Irish specific issues. I outlined the prospects for the Irish economy and the measures taken by Government to restructure the Irish banking system and promote economic growth.

I also toured "Ireland House" in New York and met with officials from the various organizations located there, and also participated in Bloomsday celebrations.

My visit to Washington involved a series of meetings with the IMF, World Bank, US Treasury and the US Chamber of Commerce. A formal reception was also hosted by the Irish Ambassador where I had the opportunity to meet with a wide selection of business people, Congressmen and other interested parties. Also while in the US, I had various press engagements including interviews with CNBC and Bloomberg.

In line with common practice, I do not propose to provide the names of individuals who attended various meetings or engagements. This could jeopardise potential investment and, for example, hamper the ability of organizations such as the IDA in developing confidential relationships with target companies. I was accompanied on the trip by my Department's Second Secretary with responsibility for Bank Restructuring, Assistant Secretary in charge Budget and Economic matters, Press Officer, and my Special Advisor and Private Secretary.

In line with common practice, I do not propose to provide the names of individuals who attended various meetings or engagements. This could jeopardise potential investment and, for example, hamper the ability of organizations such as the IDA in developing confidential relationships with target companies. I was accompanied on the trip by my Department's Second Secretary with responsibility for Bank Restructuring, Assistant Secretary in charge Budget and Economic matters, Press Officer, and my Special Advisor and Private Secretary.