Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

IDA Ireland’s strategy of diversifying its market reach involves broadening the geographic profile of investors. This is supported by the agency’s pathfinder model, which it has used across several territories over the past number of years and involves engaging in market business development consultants on a part-time basis in markets with business potential and in which IDA Ireland does not have a presence.

IDA Ireland successfully tendered for a part-time Israel-based business development consultant during 2021, with the contract commencing in February 2022. This contract ended 12 months later, at the end of January 2023. Following the evaluation stage of a new tender competition earlier this year, IDA Ireland was unable to conclude a contract with the successful tenderer. In the meantime, my Department has been informed that IDA Ireland has taken the operational decision to cancel this tender competition and does not envisage re-tendering for the contract any time soon.

This was a 12-month contract we had in place. IDA Ireland was doing what it is supposed to do, namely, exploring new markets. That contract ended and has not been repeated. We will obviously keep this under operational review.

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