Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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127. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Enterprise Ireland will have a trade mission to Spain in Quarter 2 2023. [9587/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Each year, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland prepare a programme of trade missions and events which support the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland who are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment, and showcasing opportunities for foreign direct investment in support of high-quality jobs and regional development throughout Ireland.

In recent years the majority of Ministerial-led trade missions have taken place to the Eurozone, North America and Asia Pacific, which represent the strongest growth opportunities for Irish companies. These missions have focused on promoting the innovative capabilities and competitive offerings of Irish companies to international buyers in a range of sectors including internationally traded services, fintech, high-tech construction, engineering, ICT and life sciences.

My Department is currently working closely with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland with a view to finalising a Ministerial-led trade mission programme for 2023. Consideration of the programme is still ongoing, and no final decisions have been made in relation to Quarter 2. In the meantime, Minister Richmond will be visiting Spain and Portugal in March as part of the 2023 St Patrick's Day programme which will see the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government Ministers take part in an extensive international programme to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world.