Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Yes. The new Export Trade Council brings together all Departments and State agencies involved in trade and export activity and representatives of the private sector. Last week at a meeting of the council we discussed some of the challenges facing Irish exporters and those engaged in trade. They include, for example, language education, a matter we intend to address further. Issues also raised with us involve the necessity for greater co-ordination between State agencies and our Embassy network. Our Embassies and ambassadors will take the lead role in co-ordinating the work of the various agencies involved in order that there will be a co-ordinated single Irish approach to the expansion of trade and the attraction of investment to Ireland.

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