John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 14 and 16 together.

While there is obviously limited scope for the State to be involved in the promotion of products generally, whether on an all-Ireland basis or not, and there are significant EU constraints on giving favourable treatment towards Irish produce, nevertheless the Government is very conscious of the additional difficulties facing companies in the Border region and also of the desirability of encouraging firms to expand their focus to pursue opportunities on an all-island basis. It is vital that we achieve improved competitiveness for such firms, which have faced additional challenges in the past.

The key mechanism to drive this agenda is the work of the cross-Border bodyInterTradeIreland, one of the six North-South implementation bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. InterTradeIreland's remit includes work on trade, business development and related matters. As many issues affect a company's decision to engage in cross-Border trading, the work of InterTradeIreland is designed to help eliminate barriers, encouraging firms to test-bed trading with the other jurisdiction on the island which, ultimately, may lead to these firms engaging in exporting to overseas markets.

InterTradeIreland's range of programmes to assist this process includes practical supports to businesses such as a first stop shopwhich provides companies with information on what they need to know about doing cross-Border business. This includes the provision of a practical guide and also providing trade accelerator voucherswhich offer companies financial support worth £1,000 or €1,200 towards professional advice in areas such as taxation, employment law, currency, sales, marketing or regulation. The voucher allows a company to redeem the cost of practical advice. In addition, InterTradeIreland provides extensive business, market and industry sector information.

Other relevant programmes operated by InterTradeIreland include Acumen, which stimulates cross-Border trade by assisting SMEs with tailored consultancy and salary support mechanisms for market builders across the island, and Innova, which is aimed at stimulating, promoting and supporting research and development co-operation between firms North and South, with the support of public research organisations where required. Participation in any of InterTradeIreland'sinitiatives can help improve a company's overall competitiveness. The effectiveness of InterTradeIreland'sprogrammesis borne out by the fact that over the past two years these programmes have helped create 1,012 jobs and have generated a business value of €224 million in terms of additional sales, efficiency gains and investments made.

In addition to the work of InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland works closely with its counterpart organisation, Invest Northern Ireland,on a range of initiatives to benefit enterprise development in the Border region. These include activities such as Bridging the Border seminars and partnering events, which are designed to promote joint opportunities between firms North and South in areas such as licensing and commercial agreements, subcontracting, technical co-operation and business partnerships. Clients of Invest Northern Ireland can participate on Enterprise Ireland programmes such as Leadership4Growth and the International Selling programme. Clients of both agencies can access market services, trade fairs, seminars and market development programmes provided by each agency. My Department will continue to work with InterTradeIreland and the other enterprise agencies on developing appropriate supports that encourage cross-Border trade.

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