Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the division of responsibilities between his Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to trade and if the appropriate arrangements have been carried out to bring this into effect. [14622/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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At the Government meeting on 24 May 2011 an order was made to transfer part of the trade function from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, now the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, now the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The order came into effect on 1 June 2011 and it has strengthened the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in trade promotion by specifically transferring responsibility to that Department for the management and chairing of key trade promotion functions, specifically the Trade Council, as well as responsibility for joint economic commissions.

The Trade Council, now to be chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, oversees the implementation of the recommendations in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, which was launched in September last. This strategy has brought together of the relevant agencies and Departments involved in promoting overseas trade, tourism and investment, with an integrated approach.

Responsibility for the organisation and management of joint economic commissions and for setting up any new joint economic commissions is now also a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Joint economic commissions are formal intergovernmental bodies in specific high-growth markets.

While the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade now has a very visible and tangible role in trade promotion, my Department retains lead responsibility for trade policy, including within the framework of EU common commercial policy and the World Trade Organisation. These discussions are directly linked to the sectoral enterprise and investment policies which are being developed by my Department and agencies and it is essential we maintain a coherent approach between export and investment policies. In addition, export control licensing for the export of military or dual use goods will remain in my Department. There are strong links between the licensing and control of export function and my Department's enterprise development role. My Department will continue to manage the compilation of detailed trade statistics covering exports and imports.

I will work closely with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in planning trade mission programmes for the months ahead. Our intention is to maximise the potential of these trade missions to bring Irish businesses from trade, investment and tourism sectors into direct contact with business opportunities abroad by targeting sectors and countries where there is significant potential.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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I tabled the question to ascertain exactly how the scheme will work in practice. I am not being contentious, but from the Minister's reply my understanding is that the only involvement of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be organising foreign trips, trade missions and conferences. Have any civil servants been transferred from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to deal with the Tánaiste's new responsibilities?

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Staff have been transferred. Some three posts are to transfer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, comprising one principal officer, one higher education officer and one clerical officer. They are currently working in the bilateral trade unit of my Department and it is expected that their transfer to the other Department will be affected by mid-June.

Enterprise Ireland does a lot of the background work in terms of planning trade missions and drawing together the companies involved. It makes the connections. It is a very valid aim of the Tánaiste that we use the muscle power of our diplomatic service to drive the trade agenda and use it as an outreach system. Enterprise Ireland does not have bases in many countries where we have diplomatic representation. It represents the best use of resources for what is our priority, namely, driving exports.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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There are commitments in the programme for Government to set up an export trade council and a home to export programme. There is also a commitment to strengthen relations with emerging countries and perhaps the prospect of setting up some sort of scholarship scheme. Who will be responsible for those initiatives and when can we expect to see them?

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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There will be combined responsibility. The export council will they chaired by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. It was previously chaired by a Minister of State. The strategy that was drawn together was largely about how we get the resources we have in the field to work more effectively together. It will now be driven at a much higher level. No criticism is intended of the previous Minister but it will be driven by the Tánaiste.

There will be a very strong focus. I visited India recently which offers opportunities in the education sector. It had not had a visit from an Irish Minister for many years. We are already focusing on growth opportunities and there are many exciting opportunities for Irish companies in growing markets. We need to spend time and it will take time to build a base.

Deputies:

With regard to efficiencies, one of the major elements of the programme for Government is to build all-Ireland economic opportunities where they can be beneficial to both sides of the island. Invest NI officers are based around the world, as are those from Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. Is it the objective of the Government to amalgamate if possible with our Northern partners the facilities that are available around the world for the use of all the people on the island?

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not imagine that the diplomatic service will be amalgamated.

Deputies:

We could amalgamate with Invest NI offices at least.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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There are protocols of co-operation and both bodies involved are involved in InterTradeIreland, which is a joint body working on innovation and trade promotion and supports those. The Deputies question goes beyond the one I was asked and I would have to get more information to outline what level of co-operation is now occurring. Clearly there are a lot of very good relations and joint projects. Even last week members of the Oireachtas participated in an exercise in Stormont where we were celebrating the success of companies who had been supported by InterTradeIreland to develop new markets. There is a strong degree of co-operation already. I will endeavour to get a more detailed response for the Deputy.