Written answers

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Trade Strategy

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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901. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which new trading links can be established globally; it is expected that Ireland can benefit from such developments in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38407/15]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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As previously stated, the advancement of Ireland’s trade, tourism, investment and education promotion objectives is a central aspect of Ireland’s foreign policy and of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy network. While the majority of Irish services and merchandise exports go to Europe and the US and we must continue to cultivate these markets, the Government is strongly focused on the further development of trading partnerships with other important emerging markets.

“Trading and investing in a Smart Economy 2010-2015”, the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, runs to the end of 2015. Under this Strategy, a number of new actions were initiated. For example, the Export Trade Council (ETC), which I chair, was established, as were Local Market Teams chaired by our Ambassadors in priority markets. The ETC oversees the implementation of the Strategy and facilitates the close coordination of Ireland’s trade, tourism, investment and education promotion overseas.

On a successor to the current Strategy, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the ETC, has initiated a scoping exercise with other government Departments, State agencies and private sector members, to consider possible future approaches in the trade, tourism, investment and education areas. There is a widespread view that a full consideration of the successor Strategy would most appropriately be taken forward next year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has opened new diplomatic missions in recent years across South East Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. Irish Embassies and Consulates provide a platform abroad for the promotion of Ireland as a business, investment, tourism and education destination.

The St. Patrick’s Day period of course offers us a unique opportunity to promote greater awareness of Ireland in general and Irish trade links in particular. During the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, trade, tourism and investment in Ireland were promoted at 148 dedicated business events, attended by almost 18,000 Irish and international company representatives.

In November, my Department will host the fourth Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin. Many of those attending are members of the Global Irish Network. This Network works closely with the Government and State agencies in promoting Ireland’s economic, cultural and tourism messages in key markets.

Both at home and abroad, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to work in cooperation with other Government Departments in promoting Ireland’s trade, tourism, investment and education efforts. In addition to supporting the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s 2025 Agri-Food Strategy, my Department is also closely involved in the implementation of the International Financial Services Strategy, launched in March this year.

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