Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

I welcome the Deputy's support. There will be more trade missions and they will be announced as they arise.

I assure the Deputy there will be an export trade council under the aegis of my Department and it will be chaired by the Minister. It will have some of the characteristics of the foreign trade council that was under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation. The programme for Government contains a strong commitment to including private sector exporters as well as relevant Ministers and agencies and their voice will be important on the council. It is intended that the council will have a view on trade missions and it will have a role in advising how the Department can best advance trade throughout the globe.

Earlier the Taoiseach, the Minister, the Minister of State and I addressed ambassadors who have returned from all over the world in our Department. Various agencies were represented at that gathering. We will bring all these strengths together and adopt a more co-ordinated approach to this work, which they have always done. We are strongly of the view that it will be a positive contribution to rebuilding Ireland's reputation and trade.

See this speech in context