Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Irish embassies worldwide perform a wide range of functions in support of Ireland's national interests. Since taking office, I have directed that all embassies and consulates should redouble their efforts in promoting trade, supporting Irish business and seeking out new markets. In practical terms, this means embassies are actively promoting an awareness of Ireland and its business potential; assisting Irish companies in gaining and maintaining access for their goods and services; reporting on economic and business trends and developments; assisting in the resolution of problematic regulatory issues; maintaining a network of high level business related contacts; and providing assistance and support for other Departments, agencies and, as appropriate, individual companies. Despite the modest scale of our network and the small size of our embassies, this is something we have been successful at and will continue to prioritise.

Underpinning this approach, my Department is focused on progressively implementing, with other Departments and State agencies, the recommendations made in the strategy and action plan for Irish trade, tourism and investment to 2015. A thorough analysis, conducted last year, of the potential for Ireland in terms of markets and sectors identified a number of priority markets. These are in both established and emerging economies. There is already an embassy in each of the priority markets identified in the strategy and ambassadors at these locations chair local trade, tourism and investment teams. With the active participation of the relevant State agencies, these teams have prepared annual market development plans to support our trade objectives.

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