Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

780. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all official foreign trips he and Ministers of State in his Department plan to take between now and the end of 2015; if he will provide details of whom he and the Ministers of State in his Department will be meeting on these trips; the purpose of these trips; the duration of these trips; his plans to use all of these trips to promote Ireland as a good place for doing business and as a destination for foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20441/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

An intensive programme of Ministerial-led trade missions is a key commitment in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. Early each year, I agree the annual programme of Enterprise Ireland Ministerial-led overseas trade missions and events with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, based on the proposals submitted by Enterprise Ireland and focused on the priority markets of interest to their client companies. As part of this programme, I am currently leading a trade mission to South Africa with over thirty Irish companies who are participating in a major drive to increase Irish exports to South Africa. This mission, taking place seven months after President Higgins’ official visit, will help those Irish companies already active in the South African market to further develop sales and exports contacts, and strengthen their relationships with key contacts.

In late September, I will travel to New York to participate in the General Assembly of the United Nations and to address that body on Irish foreign policy priorities. I will also meet with Foreign Ministers and UN leaders there, to discuss a range of international issues as well as bilateral issues and Ireland’s candidature for election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2020. Given the importance of our economic relationship with the United States, I anticipate, as on previous visits, to prioritise opportunities to advance our economic interests and will work closely with the economic agencies on an appropriate economic promotion programme.

I will also continue to attend EU related meetings, including meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council and Informal Meetings of EU Foreign Ministers, over the coming months.

My colleague, Mr. Seán Sherlock T.D., Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion and North-South Co-operation, led a trade mission to London in recent weeks and is currently preparing to lead a second UK-based mission this week. He also intends to lead trade-focussed visits to Estonia and to France in the coming months.

The Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Jimmy Deenihan T.D., will travel to Colorado, Denver, Austin and San Antonio from 20-24 June. The purpose of the visits is to engage with the Irish Communities in these cities, including members of the business community. Minister Deenihan will also travel to London on 30 June, where he will launch an Irish Design 2015 ‘We Built this City’ event. The aim of the event is to highlight the contribution the Irish Diaspora has made to the building of cities like London. While the Minister’s main role is to engage with Irish communities overseas, in those contacts and others, he will avail of every opportunity that arises to promote Ireland as a good place to do business and as a destination for foreign direct investment.

Mr. Dara Murphy T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for EU and Data Protection, will attend the following meetings: EU-CELAC Foreign Ministers’ Summit (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), Brussels, 9th June; 15/16 June - Justice and Home Affairs Council, Luxembourg; 23 June - General Affairs Council, Luxembourg; 25/26 June - European Council, Brussels.

It is envisaged that Minister Murphy will also attend the following Council engagements subject to the finalisation of the Luxembourg Presidency calendar: 14 September - General Affairs Council; 13 October - General Affairs Council; 15/16 October - European Council Brussels; 17 November -General Affairs Council; 15 December -General Affairs Council; 17/18 December- European Council, Brussels