Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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877. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she and her Department hopes to be in a position to pursue and secure new markets for Irish exports, with particular reference to the challenges arising from Brexit; if she expects to utilise a multi-facetted approach in this endeavour regardless of deadlines associated with Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24324/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Since the announcement of the vote of the UK to leave the EU, I have been in regular contact with key agencies, in particular Enterprise Ireland, and have met with other key business organisations to gather intelligence on the implications of Brexit and to plan our responses. In turn, Enterprise Ireland has been engaging intensively with its clients to ascertain the potential impact of Brexit on their operations and strategies. The strategies of Enterprise Ireland (EI) and their clients will no doubt evolve to meet the challenges and opportunities that will arise.

EI client exports to the UK increased by 12% last year to reach €7.5bn. Significantly however, in the context of Brexit, UK exports, as a share of total exports, have reduced from 45% to 37% over the period 2005 to 2015 as EI clients have diversified their export base to high growth markets.

Despite the continued diversification of the EI client export base, the UK’s vote to leave the EU will present significant new challenges for Irish companies exporting to the UK. In response, Enterprise Ireland has begun its plans to support clients exporting to the UK, including:

1. Information and Guidance:

Enterprise Ireland will run an information campaign including: practical guides, online information and webinars, an updated UK market access guide and regional seminars in Ireland and the UK. Further details are available at www.enterprise-ireland.com/brexit

2. UK Market Support:

Enterprise Ireland's UK team will support clients to identify key business opportunities in the short and medium terms. They will also provide advice and support on responding to the implications of Brexit such as improving competitiveness and reducing supply chain costs.

3. Competitiveness and Market Development Supports:

Enterprise Ireland will intensify its work with clients, to improve their competitiveness in the market, through its management capability and development programmes.

4. Market Diversification Support:

Enterprise Ireland will intensify its strategy of supporting clients to diversify into new markets. As part of this strategy, Enterprise Ireland will intensify its International Trade & Investment events schedule for the rest of 2016 to include trade missions and events to Northern Europe, USA, China, India and other high growth markets.

5. International Sector Clustering Strategy:

Enterprise Ireland will expand its focus on promoting Irish sectorial cluster capabilities in key sectors to international buyers in growth markets including Northern Europe, USA and Asia Pacific.

In addition, engagement by IDA Ireland, both with their existing client companies and with new prospective investors, on issues arising as a result of the UK Referendum will, of course, continue on an ongoing basis. Ireland’s commitment to our membership of the European Union, which provides for full access to that market for businesses located in this country, and our specific advantages for inward investment, will be highlighted by my Department and by the IDA at every opportunity.