Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

173. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to confirm the names of the members of his Department's strategic economic advisory panel; how many times the panel has met; if he will provide me with its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13419/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The extensive economic relationship between Ireland and the United States delivers prosperity and employment on both sides of the Atlantic. Protecting and developing the two-way trade and investment is a priority for me as Tánaiste.

Securing insights on how best to position Ireland to navigate the turbulence in the trading environment in the coming period will be critically important. At what is a turbulent moment for the international trading environment, the views of private sector stakeholders can assist the Government’s efforts to identify opportunities, navigate challenges and ensure Ireland’s competitiveness into the future.

The US based Strategic Economic Advisory Panel is a specific commitment in the Programme for Government and its establishment allows the Government to hear from senior US-based business people on key economic challenges and opportunities for Ireland.

During his visit to Washington D.C., the Taoiseach met with a number of participants of the Strategic Economic Advisory Panel. This was the first meeting of the group.

The Strategic Economic Advisory Panel is designed to be a flexible structure, to ensure that the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government can draw on the analysis and expertise of senior US-based experts with links to Ireland on specific business and economic issues as and when relevant; as such there is no official membership, and formal terms of reference are not envisioned. Participants at the recent meeting were drawn from recommendations from our diplomatic network and State agencies in the United States

In establishing the panel, the Government drew on similar models used in the past to draw on expertise and experience from our diaspora. The Global Irish Network is one such example. There are no plans for remuneration for participants.