Written answers

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Departmental Staff Data

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of personnel that were employed in the trade division of his Department prior to March 2011; the number employed in that division at present, the responsibilities of his Department in relation to trade promotion; the responsibilities that have been transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48992/14]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Trade Division in my Department is made up of Trade Policy Unit, Export Licensing Unit and Bilateral Trade Unit. Prior to March 2011, there were 6 staff members assigned to Bilateral Trade Unit and 3 of these posts have since been transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to their trade promotion responsibilities.The Trade Division in my Department now consists of 15.3 (full time equivalent) staff and they deal with bilateral contacts with our export markets and support for trade missions, the range of international bilateral free trade agreements being negotiated by the EU, negotiations at the World Trade Organisation and export licensing.

Arrangements were made in 2011 for the transfer of responsibility to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of certain trade related functions. These are set out in Statutory Instrument No. 247 of 2011 and include functions relating to the Government strategy for the promotion and development of overseas trade, tourism and investment referred to in Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy – A Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015. They comprise managing and chairing the Export Trade Council (formally the Foreign Trade Council) and convening, chairing, managing and developing Joint Economic Commissions. The Government published a review of this Strategy on 24 February last.

The Export Trade Council (ETC) was established in 2011 in order to strengthen cooperation and coordination across all Government Departments and State agencies involved in the promotion of trade, tourism and inward investment. I am a member of this Council, which is chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Joint Economic Commissions are formal intergovernmental bodies that provide a forum for discussing issues that relate to the development of economic and business cooperation and scientific and technological cooperation.

Export Trade Missions are an essential part of trade promotion. Those relating to trade and investment are for the most part prepared and managed by the development agencies under my Department, such as Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. They support the long term development of target markets for both trade and investment. Trade mission activities are based on the specific requirements of companies and sectors involved as well as, of course, on the target market involved. The objective of each mission, e.g. Trade, Foreign Direct Investment, Education, Innovation etc., influences the form of Ministerial participation that now frequently involves Ministers from across Government. My aim is to maximise the potential of these events to bring Irish businesses into direct contact with business opportunities abroad, by targeting sectors and countries where there is significant potential.

My Department retains responsibility for Trade Policy including policy within the framework of the EU Common Commercial Policy and the World Trade Organisation. Discussions on free trade agreements, liberalisation of world trade in the context of the WTO or using other avenues to expand opportunities for our exporters are directly linked to the sectoral enterprise and investment policies being developed by my Department and itsAgencies.

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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181. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the responsibilities of the trade division of his Department in relation to international trade; the linkages, role and responsibilities his Department has with the World Trade Organisation or other international organisations with trade responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48998/14]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 184 together.

My Department's trade responsibilities include lead responsibility for the EU Common Commercial Policy and the World Trade Organisation. The EU Common Commercial Policy includes EU third country Bilateral Free Trade and Investment Agreements, other EU trade negotiations within the context of the WTO, and certain EU trade and investment legislation, including anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures.

Ireland's representation in the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) comes within my remit, and I attend meetings of this formation of the Council of EU Ministers. Officials in my Department or from my Department and seconded to Ireland's Permanent Representation to the EU are responsible for representing Ireland's interests in the EU Trade Policy Committee under the EU Common Commercial Policy, and in other EU Council Working Groups relating to trade matters. My officials also participate in various trade related meetings convened by DG Trade, and in trade related meetings in the OECD. My Department has responsibility for administering the export licensing system in respect of dual-use and military goods governed by EU legislation. My Department is also the competent authority for the trade aspects of EU sanctions.

In light of my responsibility for Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, my Department and has a role in bilateral trade and investment promotion issues, and ongoing with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the annual programme of trade missions. My Department also manages the compilation and analysis of detailed trade statistics.

In respect of the WTO, officials from my Department seconded to Ireland's Permanent Mission in Geneva attend the various WTO committees and groups and participate in the various EU coordination meetings for each WTO committee and group. Ireland's annual subscription to the WTO which for this year amounts to €1.742m, is paid through my Department's Vote.

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