Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

Staff have been transferred. Some three posts are to transfer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, comprising one principal officer, one higher education officer and one clerical officer. They are currently working in the bilateral trade unit of my Department and it is expected that their transfer to the other Department will be affected by mid-June.

Enterprise Ireland does a lot of the background work in terms of planning trade missions and drawing together the companies involved. It makes the connections. It is a very valid aim of the Tánaiste that we use the muscle power of our diplomatic service to drive the trade agenda and use it as an outreach system. Enterprise Ireland does not have bases in many countries where we have diplomatic representation. It represents the best use of resources for what is our priority, namely, driving exports.

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