Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department's work under this programme will focus on leveraging our resources to drive job creation, exports, inward investment and the tourism and education market. There will be a particular focus in 2018 on assisting Irish business in the context of the UK's exit from the EU. My Department’s commitment to advancing Ireland's trade and economic interests in Europe and internationally is set out in programme D. The amount allocated for the programme in 2018 is €34.1 million, representing an increase of €3 million on the 2017 allocation or an increase of 9.4%. The Department and our network missions play a pivotal role in enhancing our reputation and promoting Ireland’s economic interests overseas. The economy is now in good shape and growing strongly, with forecast GDP growth of 3.5% in 2018.

If you wish, Chairman, I can refer to programme E as well and we can discuss both at the same time. Would that be helpful?