Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on plans for overseas trade missions in 2007; if it is intended that there be a Ministerial delegation as part of each mentioned trade mission; the estimated cost of each trade mission; his goals and targets for each trade mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18592/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A wide variety of different trade activities is undertaken by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of, and in conjunction with, my Department. This includes Outward Trade Missions, Inward Missions organised on behalf of buyers and business partners, participation in Trade Fairs and other marketing activities on behalf of its client companies. The latter make a financial contribution towards their involvement in most events. To date this year there have been 10 Ministerial outward missions of which 4 were Presidential. The approximate cost to date in 2007 of the aforementioned activities amounts to €4.0m, less a contribution from business participants of €1.2m, giving a net cost of €2.8m.

A number of overseas Trade Missions are also being planned by Enterprise Ireland for the second half of 2007. These would include missions to countries such as USA, China, Russia, Canada and the UK amongst others. It is intended that each such mission would be led by a Minister. The costs will depend on a range of variables such as flight arrangements, the number of client companies involved, meetings to be set up etc. which have still to be finalised. The cost will be met within the remaining Enterprise Ireland budgetary provision for such activity which amounts to some €2.2m (net).

Each Overseas Trade Mission has a variety of objectives. They include significantly growing the exports of Enterprise Ireland's clients by facilitating relationship building with key customers overseas; assist High Potential Start Up clients in accelerating the process of achieving a first time reference client in overseas markets by enabling them to invite key target customers to the Enterprise Ireland's events and to network with larger customers; assist Enterprise Ireland clients in developing new business contacts with the target market in key strategic sectors such as telecommunications.

Overseas Trade Missions also allow Enterprise Ireland's clients an opportunity to network with other Irish companies and individuals successfully doing business in the target market, and allow first time visitors the opportunity to assess how the overseas market can fit into their company's business growth strategy.