Mr. David Cooney:

We have a significant number of priority countries. Where there is an embassy, consulate and an agency, a co-ordination committee is established, chaired by the ambassador. It seeks to co-ordinate strategy on the ground. Where possible and in a considerable number of locations, we have Ireland House arrangements. We have that in New York. Everybody is located in the same premises. That has a benefit from the perspective of rent costs as well as in terms of synergies and daily communication. In some cases, it is not possible as the embassy is in an administrative capital such as Brasilia or Canberra. In Italy, our embassy is in Rome whereas the agencies are based in Milan. Where it can be done, we do it. We will always endeavour to do it where possible.

We work closely with agencies in the field although we do not have a line relationship with them. We cannot control them. They do not report to us. Recently, the Government agreed that my Department will seek to liaise with the agencies to ensure that we co-ordinate on choosing how and where to locate. It is something we do already, but we will make additional efforts to see if more can be done. On the ground, we work closely together, including in Africa where Brendan Rogers was recently talking to local representatives in Pretoria. It is something that has changed very much from the time I joined the Department when trade was seen as something out there. We were diplomats and we focused on diplomacy. Now, trade is front and centre of our work. It is not just the most important work we do, although much of our other work is also important, it is - for those who get the opportunity to do it - the most rewarding aspect of our work. There is a real sense of return where one is able to help to bring jobs and investment to the country.