Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the trade function has moved under his remit, if not when will this occur, if it has happened, to what extent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30847/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Following a Government decision on 24 May last, the transfer of trade promotion functions from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade took place on 1 June. The transfer gives my Department an enhanced role in trade promotion.

On a practical level, my Department now has responsibility for the management of the Export Trade Council and of our Joint Economic Commissions which Ireland maintains with a number of countries. I chaired the first meeting of the Export Trade Council, on Thursday 29 September 2011. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government the new Council will strengthen cooperation and coordination across all Government Departments and State Agencies involved in the promotion and development of trade and exports and will oversee the progressive implementation of the recommendations set out in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy published last autumn.

I will lead the Irish delegation at the forthcoming meeting of our Joint Economic Commission with the Russian Federation scheduled to take place on 7 November next in Moscow.

The transfer of trade functions has resulted in a closer working relationship with Enterprise Ireland, particularly in relation overseas trade missions which they organise and which are led by myself or my colleague the Minister for State for Trade and Development. Minister O'Sullivan has recently led trade missions to London, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and will shortly lead one to South Africa. I attended the annual meeting of Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum (APIBF) in Seoul, on 14 October 2011 and while in the region, took the opportunity to travel to Tokyo to have a number of meetings there focussed on trade and economic issues.

The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation retains lead responsibility for trade policy, which includes representing Ireland's trade interests in the context of the EU Common Commercial Policy and at the World Trade Organisation.