Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she expects Ireland to be in a position to increase trade with the US, Canada and other EU and non-EU locations post-Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14677/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The UK’s exit negotiations from the EU will not commence until Article 50 has been triggered, which the UK Government have indicated they intend to do on 29 March 2017.  These negotiations could take the maximum allowed period of two years to complete.

It is hard to predict at this stage the full impact of Brexit. Much will depend on the nature of the future trade deal that will be negotiated between the EU and the UK. These negotiations are likely to be complex and multifaceted.

The Government has just published a new Trade Strategy, Ireland Connected: Trading and Investing in a Dynamic World which supports an extensive programme of Ministerial-led trade missions, as part of a major drive towards market diversification - promoting diversified export markets in light of the potential impacts of Brexit is a key priority for my Department.  This includes markets that are growing and have scale as well as markets where we are already well established but with potential for further growth. The programme of trade missions and trade events for 2017 includes a substantive focus on the EU and third country markets. In 2017 we have 42 Minister led trade missions to existing and emerging markets. These have been reorientated to reflect an increased focus on EU markets.  Enterprise Ireland is consistently working with client companies focussing on enhancing their competitiveness, capability and levels of innovation to assist them to diversify into new markets.

The EU’s suite of Free Trade Agreements with third Countries help to open new markets, break down barriers and provide new opportunities for Irish firms. These existing EU Agreements and new trade deals will continue to be important for Ireland. With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to our continued economic growth.

Ireland will continue to support the EU’s ambitious programme of negotiating new Free Trade Agreements giving Irish firms expanded market access and a predictable trading environment in third countries.  The EU-Canada Free Trade Agreement will create sizeable new market access opportunities in services and investment in many sectors for Irish firms.  My Department is already working with our agencies and Business Groups to ensure that Irish firms take early advantage of the terms of the Agreement.  I will be leading a trade mission to Canada in the first half of this year to promote the opportunities provided by the Agreement.

The EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement has led to a sizeable increase in Irish exports since it came into effect in 2011. This is the real evidence that Trade Agreements work for Irish exporters and Irish jobs.