Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

IDA Ireland has five staff in China to deal with a market of 1.3 billion people, while it has 21 in the USA to cater for a market of 528 million. Given that the 21 in the USA are doing super work, imagine what could be done if an additional five staff were deployed in China. The key to doing business lies not in regular intensive visits but in maintaining a constant presence and building relationships. In the Asian markets, in particular, confidence is built on trust. As a result, there is a need to foster relationships and connections on a continual basis. In the context of the traditional markets, particularly pharmaceuticals, the figures for 2013 show that our exports were under considerable pressure. If we are to be where the action is happening in the next ten to 15 years, we must put in place the foundations now to allow us to establish the links necessary to do in the BRIC countries the work done in the USA in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s in building relationships. Is IDA Ireland still subject to the recruitment embargo or does it have the capacity to employ new staff? What level of co-operation will there be in emerging markets between it and the new consulates which were announced earlier in the week and which we welcome?

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