Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the review of the trade, tourism and investment strategy that was launched in 2010; the timescale for this review to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14678/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 17 January 2013, the Government decided to initiate a short focused review of the Government’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, which covers the period 2010 to 2015. This decision was reiterated in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, under Action Point 202: “In cooperation with all relevant Departments and agencies, carry out a short and focused review of the Government Trade Strategy, Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy.” A Review Group was established comprising representatives of the relevant Government Departments and State agencies (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; Department of the Taoiseach; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Education and Skills; Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Revenue Commissioners; IDA Ireland; Enterprise Ireland; Tourism Ireland; Bord Bia; Culture Ireland; Forfás; Science Foundation Ireland), chaired by the Trade and Promotion Division in my Department. The establishment of the Review Group was in the context of the Export Trade Council (ETC), which I chair, given its role in overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the Strategy. As the Deputy will be aware, the Council brings together the relevant Government Ministers and Departments, State agencies and private sector members. The review was launched on the 24 February 2014 and a copy of the document has been circulated to all members of the Oireachtas.

The review was considered by the ETC on two occasions: a progress report at the fifth meeting on 7 November 2013 and I presented the completed review document at the sixth meeting of the ETC on 6 February 2014, after the review was noted by Government. The review was also discussed by a working group under the heading “Ireland’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy - Toward a Renewed Approach” at the Global Irish Economic Forum in October 2013.

The review is the product of a comprehensive process of consultation with local market teams and our Embassy network, with Departments and State agencies at home and with the private sector. It is designed to ensure that the resources of the State – both the Embassy network and State agencies – are positioned to take full advantage of new opportunities in key emerging markets and to keep delivering in our established markets.

The review provides an update to our numerical targets and re-aligns our list of priority sectors so that they are aligned with the Action Plan for Jobs. It also introduces a ‘new market approach’, which disaggregates the list of our priority markets and includes additional high potential and exploratory markets to ensure that Ireland also engages with high growth markets in Asia, South America and Africa. In order to achieve our targets, the review provides a revised ‘action plan model’, which recognises the responsibility of Government to provide the best possible platform for companies and State agencies to win business overseas. These changes emphasise the positive benefits that accrue through maximising the coordination between Embassies and State agencies in the field and our coordination at home.

The implementation of the Strategy and the modifications encompassed by this review will continue to be overseen by the ETC, which provides an effective framework for coordination and consultation. The review provides further guidance and promotes a shared understanding of in-market developments across the diverse range of entities involved, while recognising that they each have their own specific goals, targets and priorities.