Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Chairman has raised a very important point about co-operation between the various Departments.

Of importance in that regard is the export trade council within my Department, which I chair, which comprises representatives at ministerial level from the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Education and Skills and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and representatives from State agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland. The export trade council acts as a link between the agencies and various Departments.

The trade, tourism and investment strategy expired at the end of last year. We are currently in the course of renewing that strategy, which will ensure all of our trade-related policies are current and fit into a whole-of-government approach. There is no doubt but that since the reconfiguration of Departments in 2011 the trade promotion section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been working particularly well. The new mandate given to our 80 missions to place particular emphasis on trade, business and commerce has had dividends and, I might add, has played an important role in our economic recovery. There has been no formal agreement yet on the programme for trade missions for this year but I understand from Enterprise Ireland that it is in the course of finalisation. Enterprise Ireland will communicate the proposed programme to my Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Once agreed, we would be anxious, particularly now that we have almost reached the halfway point of the year, to ensure that not only do the missions take place but that they are successful.

I referred earlier to St. Patrick's Day. The NBC network and my Department play a huge role in ensuring the success of the St. Patrick's Day events. This process was somewhat restricted this year because of the electoral cycle here. Notwithstanding this, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and several Ministers and Ministers of State visited six countries promoting Ireland and Irish business. We will be in a position, as always, to provide a full and detailed report in respect of the success in that regard. I take this opportunity to advise the committee that at the end of August, at my invitation, all of the heads of missions will be returning to Dublin to discuss their trade work. It is important, as we continue through the recovery of our economy not only in Dublin but also across the regions, that we ensure that all our missions are fully engaged in developing Irish trade, business and commerce. I would welcome any views the committee might have in that regard.

With regard to question from Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, last year I had the opportunity to meet the Minister of Trade for Cuba at the UN. There are countries with which Ireland has not had the type of relationship that perhaps some of our citizens would have enjoyed. I will continue to expand and develop our network and contacts during the course of my tenure.