Ms Jacqueline Gilna:

I thank the committee members for the invitation to address the Irish-Canadian trade relations. I appear here today in my role as founder and chair of the ICBC. My primary role is CEO at We Are Global Irish. I am joined by my colleague, Mr. O'Hara, co-chair, international trade group, at McMillan LLP Toronto, who will address the committee shortly on two key sectors.

The ICBC is a not-for-profit organisation and our purpose is to support Irish trade and investment strategies, identify challenges, and act as the national voice of Canada-Ireland business interests to both Governments. The board of directors comprises representatives from the Ireland-Canada Chambers in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal, and the Ireland Alberta Trade Association. We work in a voluntary capacity in our respective organisations and with ICBC, we enjoy a very productive relationship with our diplomatic mission, state agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland. We thank them all for their support. I will begin by outlining the historic connections between Ireland and Canada, I will address foreign direct investment, FDI, into Ireland, comment on trade officers, consular officers, state agencies and challenges and will conclude with some suggestions of matters that the committee might consider.

The Irish, and those who identify with Irish DNA, in Canada number about 10 million. That is twice the size of the population of Ireland. The ties that bind us stretch back centuries and are rooted deep in historical, cultural and diasporic connections. Irish immigrants played a significant role in shaping Canada's history. They are the foundation of its society and the basis for the development of bilateral trade and economic collaboration. The Irish represent the fourth-largest ethnic group in Canada. It is a vast country. Building on regional links, ICBC member organisations promote Ireland's interests through events and in supporting ministerial visits by members of the Government of Ireland. Through our Canadian networks, we open doors to businesses and industries that are considering establishing in Ireland. We have connections in multiple sectors and leverage our networks to the benefit of the Ireland-Canada commercial engagement.

Trade relations are very much enhanced by Canada's immigration policy and deepened by Enterprise Ireland activities. Our Toronto and Montreal offices cover the entirety of Canada, supported, when necessary, by local experts who work with Enterprise Ireland's core teams to deliver targeted supports to market opportunities for their clients. Sectors of focus include fintech, financial services, cybersecurity and others that mentioned in my briefing document. I am told that Irish companies now employ approximately 9,000 people across Canada.

I will burn briefly to FDI and why Canadian companies consider Ireland. Ireland is the only English-speaking euro zone country. In addition, it is politically and economically stable. We have a skilled workforce, a comprehensive FDI policy and a competitive tax environment. Along with the increasing number of direct flights from different regions in Canada to Ireland, this makes Ireland very attractive to Canadian companies. Some of the key challenges relate to infrastructure, planning policies, energy, the cost of doing business in Ireland and competition from other countries. There are also global concerns regarding things that have an impact on investment conditions such as, for example, inflation and recession. If we look at the opportunities that exist in Canada according to IDA Ireland, emerging sectors and technologies are driving growth such as generative AI, digital connected health, quantum computing and the others referred to in my written submission. Also, a continued period of low unemployment with high demand for skills in Canada is very much an opportunity to promote Ireland as an alternative talent source.

What can be done to drive further on investment and to improve relations? Increasingly, Ireland's visibility and presence is an example. In the first six months of 2023, three senior members of the Government, namely, the Ministers for Finance, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Health, Deputies Michael McGrath, Harris and Donnelly, visited Canada. The visits were invaluable opportunities to get in front of decision-makers and source new prospects in the market. Therefore, finding and building these partnerships and stakeholder networks can help maximise Ireland's visibility.

If we look at the visa and immigration alignment, there are some key elements. Here in Ireland, we need to look at a way to fast track those who hold permanent resident cards in Canada to make travel to Ireland easier for executives who are looking to open offices in Ireland. I give the example of those of Indian nationality who have difficulty getting into Ireland because of the duration of the visa requirement to enter the country.

I will now move to the national planning framework, NPF, and the National Development Plan 2021-2030, which combine to form Project Ireland 2040. Project Ireland 2040, with its ten-year, €116 billion capital investment plan, new NPF to enhance regional connectivity and competitiveness and improve environmental sustainability, contains, according to the Government, the elements needed to continue to attract net new trade. However, we ask a pressing question as to whether this timeline will hamper future FDI into the country.

I invite Mr. O'Hara to address the committee.