Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2025
194. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for increasing trade between Ireland and ASEAN countries; whether there are any trade delegations planned for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33433/25]
View answerMarket diversification is an important priority for me and for the Government. This is the context in which the Government Trade Forum was established in February, to give an impetus to Ireland’s trading relationships, through engagement with key stakeholders across Government and with business, other representative groups, and state agencies. In April, the Trade Forum tasked the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with developing an Action Plan for Market Diversification as a roadmap for a ‘whole of government’ approach to enhance Ireland’s trading relationships, including with new and emerging markets. This will include South East Asia.
It has long been a goal of the Government’s Asia Pacific Strategy for Ireland to significantly strengthen trade and investment links in the Asia Pacific region, including with our partners in South East Asia. With a population of 667 million people and a combined economy that is the fifth largest in the world, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) presents significant economic opportunities, and I see potential to further develop trade with the region for our mutual benefit. Many of the constituent countries of ASEAN are already important economic and political partners for Ireland.
EU free trade agreements (FTAs) play an important role in facilitating the increase of trade with new markets. The EU already has FTAs in place with Singapore and Vietnam. Negotiations, led by the European Commission, are underway for FTAs with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, through which Ireland hopes to see positive progress towards comprehensive agreements.
There are now six Irish Embassies in South East Asia, covering ten countries, as well as offices of three State agencies namely Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. Together they make up the South East Asia Regional Market team, working together to deliver economic benefit for Ireland.
The last trade mission to the region was in October 2024, when then-Minister of State for Land Use and Diversity Pippa Hackett undertook an agrifood trade mission to Vietnam and Thailand. Additionally, there have been a number of Ministerial visits to South East Asia so far this year. Around St. Patrick’s Day, Minister of State John Cummins TD travelled to Thailand and the Philippines and Minister of State Noel Grealish visited Vietnam and Cambodia, with both visits having important trade elements. More recently in May, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth TD attended the Asia Tech x SG Summit in Singapore.
I expect there will be at least one further Ministerial visit to the region later this year. Irish Embassies and state agencies in the region will remain alert to all opportunities to further increase trade between Ireland and ASEAN, as well as developing broader relationships with the countries of this important region.
Earlier this month, I called a video conference with Ireland’s Asia Pacific Heads of Mission to hear about opportunities for Ireland in this important region and to align their work with the Government’s priorities, including on trade.
