Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to strengthen relations with New Zealand, in particular trade and tourism links. [28721/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland and New Zealand have traditionally enjoyed close relations, with shared historic and heritage links. We have a very good working relationship across a range of international issues, including disarmament and non-proliferation. Ireland's interests in New Zealand are represented by the Embassy in Canberra, which is accredited to New Zealand, and by the Honorary Consul General who is based in Auckland. Both are very active in promoting Ireland's economic interests, in engaging with Irish interest groups and encouraging more New Zealanders to identify with their Irish heritage. My Department, through the Emigrant Support Programme, has co-funded a number of cultural projects in New Zealand, including the Auckland St Patrick's Day parade and the annual National Feis.

Tourism Ireland has a local representative in Auckland, working in tandem with their regional office in Sydney. Over 20,000 New Zealanders travel to Ireland every year. Tourism Ireland coordinates a number of promotional activities throughout the year, including online campaigns, joint promotions with airlines, and media engagement. The staging of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand is also raising the profile of Ireland and every opportunity is being taken to translate our positive performance into increased visitor numbers.

A very successful Working Holiday Agreement between Ireland and New Zealand is also in place. From 1 January to 30 September 2011 109 young New Zealanders have been granted Working Holiday Authorisations for Ireland and 2281 young Irish have been granted working holiday visas for New Zealand. In addition to the regional Manager who is based in Sydney, Enterprise Ireland has a representative on the ground in Auckland who works closely with the Honorary Consul General. There are approximately 28 Irish companies currently operating in New Zealand. New Zealand was Ireland's 48th largest merchandise trading partner in 2010.

IDA Ireland's Sydney office covers New Zealand. In 2010 a New Zealand company, Straker International, announced the creation of 25 jobs with the establishment of its European Headquarters and Customer Support Hub in Tralee. I am very aware of New Zealand's importance to Ireland as a bilateral partner, including in the trade and tourism sectors and contact is maintained at political level on a regular basis.

It was on this basis that my colleague, Minister Frances Fitzgerald, travelled to New Zealand in March 2011 to demonstrate the value which we place on the relationship and to express solidarity in the aftermath of the shocking earthquakes. My colleague, Minister of State Lucinda Creighton met the New Zealand Minister for Trade this year, in the margins of an OECD meeting. President McAleese visited New Zealand in 2007.