Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses from Kildare south that accompanied her on each of the trade missions undertaken by her since the commencement of her Ministry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44414/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 55: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses and the number of new employment opportunities created as a result of each trade mission undertaken by her since the commencement of her Ministry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44486/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together.

Since my appointment as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I have led three trade missions on behalf of Enterprise Ireland. These were to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), London and Zurich.

The mission to the UAE took place from 24th — 28th November last. In all, 88 companies and organisations took part in the mission during which 32 contracts and agreements were signed by Irish businesses from a variety of sectors, including construction services, engineering, architecture, software and financial services. The value of the contracts and agreements signed was € 40 million.

The event in London took place on 9th October 2008 and the programme in Zurich was on 11th and 12th November 2008. In London, I hosted the Embassy's annual Software Dinner, which was attended by a select number of Enterprise Ireland's technology clients and one Údarás na Gaeltachta client, along with their nominated guests. The mission in Zurich was focussed primarily on the Life sciences and Financial Services sectors. It is anticipated that these two events will assist the participating Irish companies to generate a significant volume of new export sales. These companies are also expected to secure contracts in a number of other regions, based on the relationships built at those two events.

As these three trade missions were concerned primarily with expanding trade and not with attracting foreign investment, it is not appropriate to link this work directly with the specific creation of new business and employment.

One of the participating companies on the recent trade mission to the UAE was from County Kildare. There were no other instances of Kildare addresses being given by participants, but it could be the case that some other companies, based in multiple locations, may also have operations in Kildare.