Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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298. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a Trade Mission to Canada is scheduled for Quarter 3, this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22388/23]

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 working with Enterprise Ireland in relation to the implementation of the 2023 Ministerial-led trade mission programme and, as part of that programme, it is intended to carry out a trade mission to Canada during Quarter 4 of this year.