Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 956: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the dates for the next trade mission planned by his Department, the IDA or State agencies that he intends leading; the slots available to interested parties in regard to such delegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29394/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The next Trade Mission that I will lead is to Canada, from 16th to 20th October next. This event has been organised by Enterprise Ireland (EI) and at this late stage the details of the various events have been decided and the list of companies participating has been finalised, as logistical arrangements need to be settled some weeks in advance.

The procedure in Enterprise Ireland for inviting participants for this and similar missions, is that potential companies are canvassed in advance to ascertain their interest in becoming involved. In this case, the canvass is based on both existing EI client companies who are already exporters to Canada and also potential exporters, who are identified by Enterprise Ireland among their client companies as possibly being in a position of commencing exports to that country.

If the Deputy is aware of any company interested in participating in future missions, such companies should contact the International Sales and Partnering Division of that Agency to discuss the issue.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 957: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of industrial or commercial itineraries that have visited Kildare in the past year; the results of such visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29395/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is the Agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland, including its regions and areas. The agency hosted 2 visits to County Kildare in the past twelve months, one to Naas and one to Athy. The Agency has maintained contact with the companies involved with a view to securing investment, if possible.

IDA Ireland's strategy for County Kildare is:

To progress the development of a knowledge economy; in order that the County can compete both nationally and internationally for foreign direct investment;

To encourage increased cooperation between foreign direct investment companies and the third level institutions in the County e.g. National University of Ireland, Maynooth;

To work with the existing client base in the County and to expand their presence in the County;

To provide modern property solutions with supporting infrastructure;

To work with Local Authorities and relevant infrastructure providers to influence the delivery of appropriate infrastructure to the County.

In recent months, IFS, a financial services company has established a facility in Millennium Park Naas and in recent years the county has attracted some world class manufacturing companies such as Intel, Wyeth Medica, Braun Oral B and Hewlett Packard.

I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by IDA Ireland, together with the ongoing commitment of Government to regional development will bear fruit in terms of additional sustainable investment and jobs for the area.