Written answers

Wednesday, 27 September 2017

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Trade Relations

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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108. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to develop positive economic relations with Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40876/17]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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111. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has given consideration to reopening a trade office in Taiwan. [40873/17]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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112. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to develop positive trading relations with Taiwan. [40874/17]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 111 and 112 together.

Ireland, like all EU Member States and the EU itself, adheres to the One China policy and does not recognise Taiwan as a State. As a result, Ireland does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but does engage with Taiwan on an economic and cultural basis.

Ireland enjoys a strong trading relationship with Taiwan. According to the Central Statistics Office, total bilateral trade between Ireland and Taiwan stood at €1,133 million in 2015, the latest year for which full trading statistics are available.

The scale and configuration of the State’s mission network in promoting Ireland’s interests and values in a fast-changing world is under continual review by my Department and by the Government. The ambition set by the Taoiseach to double our global footprint by 2025 responds to the scale and complexity of challenges that we face as a country in the years ahead. Following the Taoiseach’s announcement, my Department has begun to examine options to expand our footprint and influence internationally in consultation with other Departments and agencies.

Enterprise Ireland services Taiwan from its office in Hong Kong while IDA’s ASEAN office in Singapore currently covers Taiwan with regard to the potential for inward Foreign Direct Investment. Market intelligence in relation to Taiwan indicates that the current footprint is appropriate.

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