Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government has introduced a new approach to trade promotion and trade missions. A total of 18 trade missions are planned for 2012, compared to 12 in 2011 and 13 in 2010. This is a step change in the number of trade missions. This increase in activity will also see a more intense focus on BRIC economies. This year, trade missions will be made to Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and other high potential markets such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Last year, I led the first trade mission to India since 2008. Following an invitation from the Chinese Vice President, during his successful visit to Ireland last week, it was announced that the Taoiseach would lead a trade mission to China next month – the first Taoiseach-led mission to that country since 2008. Three missions are planned to China this year. Other missions will include Canada, Malaysia and Japan. These are designed to drive benefits from negotiations on EU free trade agreements that are likely to start or are close to finalisation.

The character of these missions has also changed. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade now plays a central role in trade promotion. This represents a new and important focus for Ireland's overseas diplomatic representation on the challenge of growing exports. It is vital that we build a vigorous export-led recovery and this reorganisation recognises this challenge. This new approach is supported by the Export Trade Council, chaired by the Tánaiste and on which I also participate.

The focus of trade missions also reflects the views of business and exporters who are represented on the council. The plan for trade missions in 2012 is to intensify the level of missions and to place a new emphasis on emerging markets. They are now designed to support the priority objectives of the ambassador and agency market teams that have been put in place under the Trade Council to accelerate new business in many emerging economies. These new teams report to that council where I monitor their activity.

This work builds on a concept developed by the last Government, to co-ordinate the efforts across agencies and Departments in support of our trade objectives.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I was intrigued by the wording of the Government jobs plan in which the Minister refers to grandiose notions such as sector-specific trade missions and market evaluation missions. Basically, we are talking about more missions focused on the BRIC countries, which is a simpler way of putting it.

I am delighted, however, that the Minister is focusing more on the BRIC countries. He will be familiar with a document produced in March 2011 called "A Blueprint for Ireland's Recovery". It suggests that: "Small diplomatic missions and commercial service offices should be put in place in key countries, especially in Asia, to support the drive for global investment and trade." Does the Minister agree with that and, if so, is it his intention to do it?

The document suggests that a target of 20% FDI should be coming to this country from China and India by 2015. Does the Minister regard that as realistic?

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Those two questions are somewhat unrelated. There is also a new sectoral emphasis and a recognition that opportunities - particularly in the emerging markets - exist around specific sectors. For example, the education sector presents an important opportunity and consequently the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, will be leading trade missions. The reference to sector-specific is to recognise that we cannot do everything in these markets and so we need to target specific areas.

As regards the FDI target for 2015 from emerging markets, so far there has not been a substantial flow from that source. The IDA is obviously making a long-term commitment there. We must set down roots and can expect to develop them over time.

The "Succeed in Ireland" initiative which will be launched next month is about using Irish people abroad as ambassadors in support of the IDA's role. It is a way of extending our reach. With limited resources, we are trying to do something more innovative to spread the impact. While I do not know for certain, I suspect that the target of 20% of FDI by 2015 is not realistic, based on the experience to date. We are committed to a long-term strategy to support trade and investment with China. We got off on a really good footing with the recent memorandum of understanding both on trade and services, and investment. It does open a door but I am not pretending that we will suddenly transform the situation. It is nonetheless an important growth market and we now have some momentum and an opportunity to get behind the Taoiseach's trade mission.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Can the Minister tell the House how much is being spent on promoting indigenous Irish exports, and how it compares to making FDI attractive in Ireland?

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will have to get the Deputy a separate briefing on that. In general terms, Enterprise Ireland has about 31 locations overseas and they support export missions. Under the new arrangement, we are also seeking to mobilise diplomatic representation. In those individual countries, there is a collective group which I acknowledge was introduced by the previous government. Representatives of Bord Bia, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, along with the ambassador, work together on formulating a plan. I do not have a figure in my brief for expenditure, as sought by the Deputy. Much export promotion, however, is done here at home. It involves getting people ready to enter new markets and making them familiar with the challenges. We support them and build networks which they can contact. In that way they can use contacts through the global diaspora network as opportunities to enter markets. It is not all about hard cash, it also concerns such contacts.