Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy. There is a lot of merit in what he has said. The Government has published in recent weeks a market diversification plan recognising, as the Deputy states, that while we do a lot of trade between the United States and Ireland, and the United States and Europe, and intend to continue that, we also have to make sure we look for other opportunities for Irish business in both directions. Those connection routes are really important. There has been an unprecedented number of Government Ministers in Japan over the course of the year because of Expo being hosted there, and the opening of the new Ireland House in Tokyo. I will ask my Department to undertake that piece of work and come back to the Deputy. We will do it under the umbrella of the market diversification strategy. I will also have it raised as an issue at a future meeting of the Government trade forum.

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