Dáil debates

Thursday, 26 March 2015

10:10 am

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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6. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on his four-day Promote Ireland St. Patrick's Day trade mission to France; the extent to which rural Ireland was promoted as a possible destination for IDA Ireland sponsored companies during the four-day itinerary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12080/15]

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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This question relates to the Minister's recent trade mission to France on the recent St. Patrick's Day break and to what extent rural Ireland has been promoted as part of that mission.

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I led a four-day Promote Ireland St. Patrick’s Day trade mission to France from 14 March to 18 March during which I was involved in meetings and events on behalf of several State agencies including IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Bord Bia.

France is a particularly important market for the development of Ireland's regional economy. Irish food and drink exports to France are worth €750 million. It is our second largest export market in this sector and a particularly important market for seafood, beef and lamb. The programme included a promotion of Irish food and drink products of particular importance to our rural economy.

Almost 500,000 French tourists come to Ireland each year. The mission included special promotion of Ireland as a destination with a heavy emphasis on rural and regional destinations, which have always been particular favourites of French tourists.

There were four deal announcements for Enterprise Ireland, including one for Combilift in Monaghan. A reception held in the Irish embassy was attended by 17 Enterprise Ireland client companies, seven of which are regionally based. France is Ireland’s fourth largest source of inward investment. During my visit, I held two meetings with existing IDA Ireland client companies. On St. Patrick’s Day, I hosted an event attended by 15 IDA Ireland client companies along with executives from several target companies. These existing clients between them employ in excess of 3,000 people in operations located throughout Ireland with a strong regional presence, particularly in counties Waterford, Galway and Louth.

It was an important opportunity to showcase IDA Ireland's new five-year strategy which has set out ambitious regional targets at its heart. The strategy includes an increased focus on Europe which has accounted for 20% of investments won by IDA since 2010. In light of this, IDA Ireland has invested additional resources across its offices in Paris, London and Frankfurt.

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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To what extent does the Minister expect to see growth in investment by France and exports there this year? Will there be growth in tourists from France this year?

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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It is expected there will be an extra 5%, or 25,000, extra visitors coming from France this year. At the recent trade mission, we met with key agents who will drive and promote this business.

The ambition for food exports is for double-digit growth into the French market. It is a strong market and a good outlet for seafood exports, in particular, with good margins. IDA Ireland is seeking to increase investment from the European market over the next five years. It has not set a specific target but, overall, its aim is a 40% uplift in the total number of projects won from the European arena, an ambitious target. Trade missions are a part of it but the very dedicated staff in these offices abroad continue to develop these leads and deliver them over time. Despite its economic difficulties, the French market is very good for Irish companies which are well received there.