Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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877. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is aware that the cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council was not invited to attend the joint trade mission which she attended in the Park Hotel, Sligo on 18 May 2016; if she is further aware that Sligo County Council at its meeting on 13 June 2016 called on the chairman and board of both Enterprise Ireland and the Industrial Development Agency to take the necessary steps to ensure that a representative of the county council is invited to such significant and important events held in Sligo in the future; if she will consider contacting Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to highlight the enhanced role of local authorities in terms of promoting enterprise and economic development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22023/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The joint Trade Mission was one of three similar events held in Athlone, Sligo and Limerick over 18th and 19th May 2016 as part of Enterprise Ireland’s and IDA Ireland’s joint Trade and Investment Mission to Ireland. The nature of the event was operational with the objective of introducing high quality indigenous companies to multinational companies around the country. It was a Business-to-Business event focused on identifying sourcing opportunities while enhancing networks regionally and nationally.

The event was very well attended by both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland clients. It is the first time such an event took place in Sligo and over 100 one-to-one meetings took place on the day. The companies that attended were not all North-West based, many having travelled long distances.

The Chief Executives of Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim County Councils were invited and participated at the Sligo event.

On June 16th 2016 Sligo County Council wrote to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland outlining a resolution that was carried at the Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on June 13th 2016. It expressed its concern that the Agencies failed to invite a representative from Sligo County Council to the event and sought a reply.

Both Agencies sent a joint letter dated 20th June 2016 clarifying that the Chief Executive of Sligo County Council had been invited and was present at the Sligo event.

The event was very well attended by both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland clients. It is the first time such an event took place in Sligo and over 100 one-to-one meetings took place on the day. The companies that attended were not all North-West based, many having travelled long distances.

Enterprise Ireland and IDA recognise and support the enhanced role of local authorities in terms of promoting enterprise and economic development and where appropriate, representatives of the Council are invited and will continue to be invited to significant and important events in the Region.