Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 36, 39, 52 and 60 together.

The Government believes that Ireland's economic recovery must be export led and as such, is committed to taking the actions necessary to support that export growth to the maximum possible. We are also committed to promoting the long-term development of new markets. The programme for Government has outlined the Government's commitment towards the progressive implementation of the recommendations in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, which was launched in September last. This is the first time that all of the relevant agencies and Department involved in promoting overseas trade, tourism and investment came together with an integrated approach to achieve a set of agreed priorities and targets for both existing and new high-growth potential markets. The targets agreed by these agencies are to be implemented through a suite of actions driven by a recently established Foreign Trade Council. These actions are aimed at strengthening Ireland's international image and brand, strengthening in-country presence and support, developing and internationalising our enterprise base, developing Ireland as a hub for global high-technology enterprises and clusters, aligning visa policy with priorities in the strategy, support for SMEs, continuing develop of international trade agreements, joint actions and partnerships with other countries and effective engagement with the business community.

The Government supports the overall objective of the strategy and action plan which is to marshal and co-ordinate the resources of the State. We believe that its implementation will result in sustained efforts of all key Departments and agencies. As soon as the transfer of trade functions to the new Department of foreign affairs and trade, as announced by the Taoiseach, has been effected, the nature, structure, future role and time lines of the proposed export trade council will be considered as a matter of urgency. The Government is conscious of the need to avoid establishing new groups and bodies unless absolutely necessary and will therefore consider what amendments to the membership and terms of reference are needed to re-align the existing Foreign Trade Council, one of which is to introduce private sector membership onto that body.

As I highlighted already, the Government fully supports the consensus that economic recovery will be export led. Included in the process of achieving that will be looking at all initiatives to facilitate export growth and there will be an examination of how we can better provide a portal for companies seeking to export Irish good through a single Source Ireland portal. There are also proposals to introduce a home-to-export initiative which would focus on companies exporting for the first time.

I am conscious of the valuable work already undertaken by Enterprise Ireland in helping Irish companies to sell their goods and services abroad, and this is an opportunity to develop that work. It includes breaking into new and high growth markets such as the BRIC countries and also in facilitating existing Irish companies in getting new and innovative products into new markets.

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