Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his proposals for the establishment of a consultative group on international trade policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4463/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 5 February 2025, the Government agreed to my proposal to establish a Consultative Group on International Trade Policy. The Group is being established to facilitate engagement with key domestic stakeholders on the latest and emerging trade and investment development opportunities.

In line with transfer in responsibilities for trade policy to my Department in the Programme for Government, it will be chaired by me as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

As a small, highly globalised economy, it is of the utmost importance that we maintain a strategic focus on the international trading environment.

The Consultative Group will focus on the entirety of Ireland’s trading relationships, including the opportunities arising from EU trade agreements, emerging markets, and consideration of how best to advance Ireland’s economic interests with our largest bilateral trading partners. It will be outcome-focused and guided by a work-plan to be developed by the Group and updated periodically.

Membership of the Consultative Group will include Ministers and senior officials from other relevant Government Departments, and senior business and sectoral representatives including from relevant business representative groups and organisations, senior leadership from state agencies including Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and IDA Ireland.

The Group will also engage with key businesses and senior business leaders, who will be invited to attend meetings of the Forum depending on the topics and regions involved. Attendees will be drawn from a range of businesses and strategically important sectors with due consideration to gender balance and regional diversity.

I will convene the first meeting later this month.