Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There have been 29 ministerial-led trade and investment missions since 1 January 2013. Normally, IDA investment missions would not involve Irish companies, so half of them are not relevant. Enterprise Ireland trade missions are open to all Enterprise Ireland companies. A full listing of events is published so that companies can participate. Since 1 January, 30 Cork-based companies participated in trade missions. I will obtain the breakdown for the Deputy in respect of how many came from west Cork. Trade missions help to win orders and achieve export sales. Commercial confidentiality governs individual deals, but notable deals have been secured by Cork companies, although some of them are not from west Cork. GTSS secured a contract at the National Maritime College in Cork and Digisoft secured an IT contract in South Africa. I shall obtain information for the Deputy.

Apart from trade missions, Enterprise Ireland works with approximately 700 client companies in County Cork and almost 20,000 people in sectors such as food and drink, consumer products and internationally traded services. Ministerial-led trade missions in the past 18 months have focused particularly on emerging markets. Such markets can be more challenging for companies that need scale, market presence and resilience to succeed. Ireland needs to develop these markets, where 90% of future trade growth is likely to be. It is important to recall that Enterprise Ireland has a network of 28 overseas offices that are available on a year-round basis to companies in west Cork and elsewhere. They provide a range of services to meet client needs in internationalising, including market knowledge, incubation and hot-desk facilities.

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