Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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153. To ask the Taoiseach if he will list, in tabular form, meetings on the proposed European Union-United States of America transatlantic trade and investment partnership, or any of the other names by which these negotiations have been known, by his departmental officials with interested parties; with whom they were held and the date on which they took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22466/15]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is a proposed comprehensive trade and investment agreement currently under negotiation between the European Union and the United States. Given the importance of the American export market to the Irish economy and companies, the Government supports an ambitious TTIP agreement. The decision to open the TTIP negotiations was taken during the 2013 Irish Presidency by the Foreign Affairs (Trade) Council under the chairmanship of Minister Bruton and he has lead responsibility for this matter.

My Department's officials discuss TTIP on a regular basis both formally and informally with their counterparts from other capitals and administrations, as well as with representatives of EU embassies and the US embassy in Dublin as a matter of course. The subject is also of course discussed across Government Departments. TTIP also arises in my contacts with other leaders, and is regularly discussed at the European Council. It also featured, naturally, during my visit to Washington for St. Patrick's Day when I discussed it with President Obama and US Trade Representative Froman.

Given the potential benefits of TTIP to Irish exporters and in particular SMEs, I hope that significant progress can be made before the end of 2015 that will allow an agreement to be concluded before President Obama leaves office. An ambitious and comprehensive agreement will benefit economies on each side of the Atlantic, promoting job creation, economic growth and investment while reaffirming the importance of our relationship with the United States.