Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to develop stronger links with Canada particularly in trade, tourism and education. [10817/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland currently enjoys very good relations with Canada on every level. Our links in trade, tourism and education are particularly strong and growing. Canada is one of Ireland's top 20 trading partners with total trade over €1.5 billion. There is good potential for this to grow with Irish exports to Canada increasing by almost 30% in 2010. The investment links between the two countries are also significant as Ireland is currently the 5th largest recipient of Canadian outward investment. Canada is attractive to Irish companies in the IT, pharmaceuticals, and agri-food sectors looking for a North American base and receives almost 25% of Ireland's foreign direct investment abroad. Ireland's tourism industry also benefits from our good relations with Canada with almost 95,000 Canadians visiting Ireland in 2009, the last year for which figures are available. The promotion of economic and trading opportunities in all our priority markets is, of course, a key focus of my Department, and the Embassy network, in close co-operation with relevant Departments and State Agencies. In relation to Canada, the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa is actively working to restore Ireland's international reputation, which has been affected by the economic and financial crisis, and to support Ireland's economic growth. The Embassy works closely with the State Agencies on the ground to advance Ireland's economic and trade interests in Canada. The Ambassador chairs the local trade, tourism and investment team, established under the Trade and Investing in a Smart Economy Strategy. This team has developed a detailed market plan and is already active in pursuit of specific targets.

Recent activity in this regard includes Embassy support for a Doing business in Ireland and the UK seminar in Montreal last month and Embassy representation at 34 events throughout Canada over the St Patrick's Day period. At the majority of these events, the opportunities for trading with, and for visiting Ireland, were highlighted in a positive manner. The Embassy also collaborated on the inaugural business summit organised in Toronto by the Ireland Canada Business Association, which highlighted many positives of the Irish economy, the potential for Canadian investment in Ireland and for Irish companies to do business in Canada.

The Embassy in Ottawa supports Enterprise Ireland, which is leading the drive to promote Irish education in Canada under the recently launched "Education in Ireland" brand. Education Ireland will be exhibiting at NAFSA, the biggest annual gathering of international educators and Study Abroad advisors in North America, which will take place in Vancouver Canada at the end of this month. They will be joined by Irish universities, Institutes of technology and other colleges at this event.