Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he intends to encourage and promote dialogue leading to trade in the various countries in Latin America; the extent to which he has examined the potential for expansion of trade in each case having particular regard to Irish connections in many such countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20346/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government is committed to implementing progressively the recommendations in the Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015. Under this Strategy, in Latin America Brazil has been identified as a priority market country. The local market team set up under the Strategy and chaired by our Ambassador has developed a detailed market plan and is already active in pursuit of specific targets identified by the State Agencies. Other countries in Latin America offer diverse opportunities for Irish companies in particular niche areas. In Mexico and Chile, for example, there are opportunities to market medical and pharmaceutical products. Our Embassies in Latin America, together with the State Agencies who are active in the region, work to assist Irish companies in responding to such opportunities as they arise.

As the Deputy will be aware Ireland has long-standing historic links with many Latin American countries. The various commemorations last year which marked the bicentenary of the independence of Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile helped raise awareness of the significant role that the Irish born or Irish descendents, such as Admiral William Brown, played in the transition of these countries to independence. Last year, my Department worked closely with the Naval Service on the visit to Central and South America by the LÉ Niamh which visited Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and the United States. In addition to participating fully in bicentenary celebrations, the ship hosted a number of activities in conjunction with my Department and Enterprise Ireland. These were designed to strengthen links with the region, and to encourage trade and marketing opportunities. In excess of 12,000 people visited the ship, including key business leaders.

Our footprint in Central and South America is modest, with resident Embassies only in Brasilia, Buenos Aires and Mexico City. I can assure the Deputy that my Department and our Embassies in the region will continue to work in co-operation with the State Agencies to build increased trade links wherever possible.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he intends to examine, monitor and promote trade with each of our EU partners with particular reference to the need for the European member states to maximise, through trade, the benefit of economies of scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20347/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland's trade with our European partners is already significant; the EU and EFTA account for 62% of Irish merchandise exports and merchandise trade with these countries in 2010 amounted to over €85 billion. Membership of the EU has provided Irish companies with access to a single market of over half a billion people and enabled Irish companies both to grow in established markets and to diversify into new markets.

The Government is focused on achieving maximum growth in exports, including through the development of both new and existing markets, and has committed to progressively implementing the recommendations in the Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015. The Export Trade Council, which will be established shortly, and which I will chair, will monitor implementation of the Government's Trade Strategy under which many of our EU partners have been identified as priority markets. Local market teams set up under the Strategy and chaired by our Ambassador, in these priority markets, have developed detailed market plans and are already active in developing further our trading and investment links in those countries.

During my official visits to EU member States, I ensure that trade and business related elements are included in programmes and discussions, wherever possible and take every opportunity in discussions with EU colleagues to promote Ireland's economic interests. This was the case during my visit to Berlin last week, as it was during my recent visits to Paris, London and Vienna. I also availed of my recent visit to Oslo to raise our economic relations in discussions with the Norwegian Prime Minister and the Norwegian Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Membership of the EU benefits Irish companies not only in providing access to the Single Market but also to external markets. In negotiating access to international markets, the EU speaks with one voice. Our membership of the EU gives us considerable influence and leverage when seeking to open new markets and enhance the conditions in existing markets.