Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 127: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the policy her Department and its State agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, are pursuing to encourage companies that are in the retail and distribution sector (details supplied) to expand to other countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7290/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Enterprise Ireland's remit is to work with Irish controlled manufacturing and internationally-traded services companies employing ten or more, innovative high-potential growth start-up companies, and overseas owned companies in the food, drink and timber sectors. The services sector is a key focus of Enterprise Ireland. A dedicated International Services Business Unit was established in 2007. The key objectives of Enterprise Ireland's Services Strategy, which I launched in October 2008, are:

to accelerate the international growth of existing Enterprise Ireland Internationally Trading Services clients and sectors;

to grow substantially the base of Irish Internationally Trading Services companies in Ireland; and

to build a substantial footprint and export sales in new emerging services sectors.

In 2008, the Services Strategy Group published the Report "Catching the Wave" in which areas of opportunity for Irish companies to establish commercial presence abroad were identified, including the retail and wholesale sector. State intervention in relation to these opportunities is limited to 'soft supports' such as:

Management capability development, specifically dealing with running a growth oriented business

Access to professional mentors with sectoral knowledge in domestic and international markets

Access to innovation supports

Access to Enterprise Ireland's overseas network

Introductions to private/public venture capital funds.

On 10 February 2008, Enterprise Ireland co-hosted a half-day conference with Retail Excellence Ireland. This allowed Enterprise Ireland to present the supports available and afforded retailers the opportunity for one-to-one contact with Enterprise Ireland staff to discuss international prospects. I would also encourage any business in the retail sector, or other sectors, to consider the opportunities of the all-island market place to expand their business. InterTradeIreland, the all-island trade and business development body, provides practical advice and support to businesses to help them pursue new cross-border business opportunities, develop new products and processes and to attract equity investment.