Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding talks between the EU and the US on a trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15423/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government identified the need to advance the prospects of an EU-US trade and investment agreement as a key priority for Ireland’s EU Presidency. I am pleased to report that significant progress has already been achieved with the decision of 13 February last by EU and US leaders to launch negotiations in the coming months.

The EU and the US are two of the world’s largest trading blocs and already have very strong trading and investment ties with each other. The joint EU-US High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth, set up following the last EU-US Summit in November 2011, was tasked with identifying policies and measures to further increase EU-US trade and investment including a possible trade and investment agreement to support mutually beneficial job creation, economic growth, and international competitiveness. That High Level Group issued its Final Report to EU and US Leaders on 12 February 2013. The Report concluded that a comprehensive agreement that addresses a broad range of bilateral trade and investment issues, including regulatory issues, and contributes to the development of global rules, would provide the most significant mutual benefit of the various options which had been considered. The Report therefore recommended to Leaders that each side initiate as soon as possible the formal domestic procedures necessary to launch negotiations on a comprehensive trade and investment agreement.

In a joint statement on 13 February 2013, EU and US Leaders welcomed the Report’s recommendations and confirmed that each side would initiate the internal procedures necessary to launch negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

In this context, on 12 March the European Commission agreed a draft negotiating mandate which is to be presented to EU Member States for approval by the Council of Ministers in order to start negotiations as soon as possible, still during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council. As Presidency, we will play our full part in achieving this objective.

For its part, on 20 March the acting US Trade Representative, on behalf of the President, formally notified Congress that the President intends to enter into negotiations with the EU on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and to initiate negotiations no earlier than 90 days after the transmittal of the notification.

Both the Taoiseach and I took the opportunity during our recent visit to Washington DC for St Patrick’s Day to reiterate the Government’s commitment, as EU Presidency, to work for approval of the negotiating mandate before the end of the Irish EU Presidency.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made by his Department to foster trade with Brazil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15832/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Brazil, now the world’s sixth largest economy, is a priority market under the Government’s Trade Strategy. Officials of my Department work closely with State Agencies to promote trade and investment opportunities in this significant market. The overall trend in trade with Brazil is very positive. Ireland’s exports to Brazil reached €256 million in 2012, up 58% on 2007. Trade in services is also strong with Irish exports reaching €257 million in 2011, an increase of 47% on the previous year.

The promotion of strong bilateral relations with Brazil is a priority for Government. The successful visit to Brazil last October by President Michael D. Higgins provided a valuable opportunity to raise Ireland’s profile. President Higgins had a very positive meeting with Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff during which they discussed the growing bilateral relationship, in particular as regards trade and education. The President also met with political and business leaders in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia. In this regard, I welcome indications that both the Mayor and Governor of Sao Paulo have announced their intention of sending, respectively, a trade mission and an investment mission to Ireland in the period ahead. Our Embassy in Brazil is following up with their respective offices.

My colleague the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr Joe Costello T.D., accompanied President Higgins and led a highly successful Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission. Other State Agencies that participated included IDA Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and Bord Bia. 42 Irish businesses and third-level education institutions participated and they were drawn from a wide-range of sectors including education, telecommunications, financial and engineering services. During the Mission participants advanced their interests in a range of ways including by securing export contracts, opening facilities and putting in place Memoranda of Understanding with Brazilian partners.

The Irish Embassy in Brazil and the Irish State Agencies work closely together on the promotion of Irish interests. Earlier this month, the Ambassador and his team collaborated with IDA Ireland on an investment mission that took place in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Plans are already underway for a further Enterprise Ireland Ministerial-led mission to Brazil later this year which will focus on Education and Technology, and the Embassy is working closely with the Enterprise Ireland office in Sao Paulo in this regard.

Officials of my Department both in the Embassy and at Headquarters will continue to collaborate closely with State Agencies, as well as with the network of governmental and business contacts that we have developed in Brazil, so as to provide effective support to Irish businesses and education institutions pursuing opportunities in this dynamic, high-growth market.