Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps the Minister could outline if there are any other high-profile trade visits planned for the remainder of 2016? It is more than five years since certain trade functions were transferred to his Department with the establishment of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Will the Minister indicate whether his Department ensures that its work and goals are aligned with those of other Departments and statutory agencies which are also working to enhance Ireland's trade and business abroad? I am thinking of the work of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Bord Bia in this regard. Is the Minister satisfied that there is no duplication or overlapping of effort?

At times we do not give due credit to many of the companies which are operating in the international markets, building up markets for themselves and growing markets. Before the trade functions were formally assigned to the Department, I know that it, through its embassy network, and the different statutory agencies always did great work in assisting Irish companies to build up relationships and expand into or develop new markets. We should be cognisant of the great work of so many small companies and large Irish companies out there gaining extra market share for Ireland.