Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to develop stronger links with Australia particularly in relation to education, trade and tourism. [17744/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that Ireland enjoys strong historic and cultural links with Australia, with nearly 25% of Australians boasting some Irish heritage. Australia is also one of Ireland's top 20 trading partners. Total merchandise trade between Ireland and Australia in 2010 was worth €859 million, an increase of 9% on 2009 levels. Our services trade is on a similar scale.

The Government attaches importance to developing further our trade and economic links with Australia. Last year, the then Minister for Trade and Commerce led a multi-sectoral trade mission of 44 leading Irish companies to Australia. Both Enterprise Ireland and the IDA have offices in Australia. More than 75 Irish companies have a presence there, while 35 Australian companies are located in Ireland.

Tourism Ireland is also represented in Sydney, recognising that Australia is a very important market for Ireland. The Australian market recovered more quickly than other markets from the global economic crisis and 2010 saw a 2% increase in visitor numbers to Ireland. The target for Tourism Ireland this year is to return to consistent growth and reach 2008 levels (150,000 visitors) by the end of 2011.

An important support to Irish tourist promotion will arise from the major "Irish in Australia" exhibition running at the National Museum of Australia from 17 March-31 July 2011. It is expected to generate considerable interest, particularly in family history research.

The Embassy in Canberra has been supporting plans and preparations for this exhibition for many years and has provided extensive in kind support and my Department and Culture Ireland have provided over €60,000 in support. My colleague, the Minister for Children, Frances FitzGerald T.D., attended the opening of the exhibition in March and more than 35,000 people have visited the exhibition since then, which is far ahead of target.

There is a very successful Working Holiday Visa agreement in place between Ireland and Australia, and 15,000 Irish backpackers availed of this scheme in 2010. Around 500 Australians travelled to Ireland on the same scheme last year, fostering ongoing links between young people from both countries.

The Export Trade Council, which will be established shortly and which I will chair, will monitor implementation of the Government's Strategy for Trade, Tourism and Investment under which Australia has been identified as one of the priority markets. The Strategy brings together all of the relevant State Agencies which have committed to achieving specific targets in priority markets. The Ambassador in Canberra chairs a local market team with representatives of the relevant State Agencies to drive this strategic approach and ensure a sustained and coordinated use of all of the State's resources in support of Irish companies trading and growing their business in the Australian market.