Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Robinson. The Cathaoirleach already spoke about the competition that businesses face, which was referred to regarding the quarter 3 survey. I am interested in this point. Costs have been mentioned. I hear from small and medium businesses in County Clare about rising costs and the struggles they face. The witnesses have mentioned that InterTradeIreland has supported businesses in every county on the island. I am in County Clare. Do the witnesses have anything to say about those businesses in County Clare that InterTradeIreland has been able to support? It would be great to hear about this work.

It was mentioned that trade across the Border tends to be more resilient and innovative and that generally those businesses outperform their non-exporting peers. This is why I am very interested to hear about the competition. Is it in a particular sector? Is there a trend? In County Clare the tourist industry is being disproportionately impacted at present. I would like to raise this with InterTradeIreland.

The witnesses have spoken about the work InterTradeIreland does as a connector and in identifying opportunities. They spoke about the various Departments it deals with. What the major challenges or gaps that InterTradeIreland encounters in its work in dealing with these two Departments?