Mr. Kevin Sherry:

Deputy Seán Crowe asked a question about embassy expansion. As I mentioned earlier, we work very closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, particularly the trade promotion division in Dublin, and with each of the embassies and ambassadors overseas. We discuss with them in some detail our assessment of the market opportunities and they, in turn, give us their view in that regard. We have been involved with them on the trade, tourism and investment strategy and had lengthy discussions with them during the development of that strategy and the most recent review of it, including on what are the most appropriate markets, what is the market assessment of the opportunity in those markets and in what sectors, and timing in that regard. As we have had discussions with them on their thinking in terms of opportunities, they would be fully aware of our plans.

In practical terms, we work hand-in-glove with companies. During trade missions we work hand-in-glove with people at a senior level, as we do with our colleagues in IDA Ireland or Tourism Ireland. In the case of the ASEAN and Asia Pacific regions, as government access is vital we work with companies on a daily basis in leveraging contacts at a senior level.