Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the role the international office of Dublin City Council plays in establishing international contacts on behalf of the city and Ireland incorporated; if, in view of the fact that his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin City Council has twined with Beijing and Beijing and Dublin have entertained each city's Mayor for the signing of the twinning arrangement, further in view of the fact that the communist party system as operated in China, clearly has representatives from the city of Beijing sitting on the central committee, he will explain the reason he did not deem it appropriate for the international office in Dublin City Council to be represented on the trade mission that he led recently; if he will now consider along with the Department of Foreign Affairs, liaising and engaging the participation of the city in all future exchanges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19761/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The focus of my visit to China was to provide opportunities for exporters to increase their profile with prospective trade buyers and expand access to existing and potential customers across as many business sectors as possible. The trade mission was focused on the enterprise to enterprise aspects of doing business with China. Consequently, the mission was organised by Enterprise Ireland (EI) with participants drawn from the business sector and especially from the agency's client base.

I understand that sometime ago EI was in communication with Dublin City Council (DCC) in relation to developing links with Beijing in the context of a Taoiseach led mission but that the Council decided to proceed with its own initiative at an earlier date. EI's Beijing manager helped assist the Council in its twinning initiative in June 2011. Participation by non EI clients, including public authorities, on trade missions can be considered on a case by case basis and where this will provide tangible added value to Ireland's trade and investment objectives.