Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which new trading opportunities have been established over the past 12 months at various locations; the extent to which such locations are in proximity to Irish embassies; the extent to which the opening of further embassies might be likely to assist in such efforts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27598/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which new markets have been established for Irish products throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27603/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 122 together.

The Government's decision to assign additional responsibilities in the trade promotion area to my Department has enhanced further the already close working relationship with Enterprise Ireland both at headquarters level and in the field throughout the Embassy network. Enterprise Ireland clients are successfully exporting to major markets throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australia. I have set out below a table which provides a breakdown of Enterprise Ireland client performance in those markets in 2010.

The Deputy will be aware that the figures released for services trade recently show that Ireland's services exports in the first half of 2011 are up 8.4% from the same period last year. Merchandise trade is also performing strongly, up 6% in the first half of this year. Enterprise Ireland client companies increased exports by 10% between 2009 and 2010 from €12,643m to €13,930m.

The fact that Irish companies are continuing to grow their exports in a challenging global economic environment is testament to the work that has been done by these companies, with the support of my Department and our Embassy network, other Government Departments and the State Agencies in developing new markets and opportunities for Irish products.

While Ireland's Embassy network is modest, we do have an Embassy in each of the countries identified as priority markets under the Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy Strategy. These Embassies give the highest priority to supporting State Agencies and their client companies to pursue market opportunities in their regions. The local market teams chaired by the Ambassador in each of these markets report to the Export Trade Council which I chair and which held its inaugural meeting last week following the commitment to establish it in the Programme for Government.

My Department and all the State agencies with responsibilities in the areas of economic growth, trade and investment have committed to keeping their resource allocations overseas under review to ensure the State achieves maximum benefit from its footprint abroad. There are a number of additional markets, particularly those where there is an emerging demand for the high quality products which Ireland exports, where there would be benefits to be gained by opening an Embassy in the period ahead. However, these benefits must be weighed against the very significant constraints on public expenditure that we are facing and will continue to face for some time to come.

EI clients are successfully exporting throughout the world and are exporting to all major markets throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australia. Table 1 gives a breakdown of performance in 2010.

Table 1 EI Client Companies Exports 2010 by Main Market Area