Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which imports and exports have fluctuated in the past five years and in the past 12 months to date having particular regard to the need to identify areas where an emerging lack of competitiveness is occurring and being substituted through imports or relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31661/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The position in relation to imports and exports of Merchandise goods over the last five years is given in the following table.

Data for the first eight months of 2007 show Merchandise Exports have increased by 5% over the same period in 2006 and Merchandise Imports for the same period have increased at a slower rate, i.e. 3%.

For the period 2004-2006 Merchandise Imports have been rising somewhat faster than Merchandise Exports, but there a number of pertinent factors involved. An inevitable consequence of increased production of goods for export, especially in the specialised sectors of the economy, is that component and raw materials for those sectors will be required to drive the increased manufacture of additional goods. While these are sourced in Ireland wherever feasible, inevitably a proportion of input items, including petroleum and its products, can only be sourced overseas.

Despite this, Ireland still has a very significant surplus in our merchandise trade, amounting to over €26 bn last year.

Services trade data for the first six months of 2007 show Exports of €30.136 bn and Imports of €32.136 bn. This means that the trend of significant growth in Services Exports is continuing and, also, that the deficit is continuing to close.

This combined data shows a very healthy trade position. Inevitably there will be fluctuations in relation to the various elements which impact on the ongoing position.

I would like to assure the Deputy that Enterprise Ireland, the agency with responsibility for the development of manufacturing and internationally traded services of indigenous companies, is acutely aware of the significant challenges and opportunities that have emerged as a result of globalisation and increased global competition. The agency does and will continue to work very closely with its client companies to help them grow and develop both here in Ireland and on world markets.

The following table show the position in relation Services Trade—