John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the new markets opened up to Irish exports and the nature of these exports, such as beef, in each of the years 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3246/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In the period 2011-2015, Free Trade Agreements were concluded by the EU covering a wide range of goods and services, including those with Canada, Vietnam, Singapore, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Ukraine.As regards agriculture specifically, the following table shows the markets that have been opened up to Irish agricultural exports in the period 2011-2015.

As part of the strategy to support increased exports and jobs, this Government has more than doubled the number of trade missions led by myself and other Government Ministers since taking office.We have supported Irish companies in consolidating their presence in existing markets and we have assisted companies in opening doors for entry into new markets.

Enterprise Ireland provides direct supports to assist companies with internationalisation plans including access to the supports provided by its international network of overseas offices, international Trade Missions, sales and marketing review tools and financial supports. Responding to evolving growth opportunities and to its clients’ export strategies, Enterprise Ireland has opened new overseas offices including those in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Perth, Australia and Doha, Qatar, which were opened during 2014 and 2015.

The companies supported by Enterprise Ireland are winning more export sales than ever before. Record exports of €18.6bn were achieved in 2014 by Enterprise Ireland client companies with growth recorded across all sectors and all global regions. Demand showed greatest growth in the Latin America and Asia Pacific regions - up 42% and 25% respectively.