Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
197. Deputy William Aird asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the means by which Ireland’s Action Plan on Market Diversification will reduce the country’s over-reliance on key trading partners such as the US, UK and EU; the concrete benchmarks and timelines for its implementation and success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57145/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overarching goal of Government Action Plan on Market Diversification is to support Ireland’s businesses, through concerted actions by Departments and State agencies, to adapt to the global trading environment by striking out into new and diverse markets and deepening their engagement in existing markets. It arose out of discussions at the Government Trade Forum chaired by the Tánaiste on the need to review, and where necessary strengthen, the supports available internationally to help Irish business.
The Action Plan is a ‘whole of government’ approach containing over 100 actions to be delivered over a short period, anchored around four core objectives:
• Supporting Exporting Businesses and Market Access,
• Deepening and Broadening Ireland’s International Engagement,
• Delivering Trade and Tourism Missions for Strategic Impact
• Enhancing Domestic Readiness for Economic Engagement and Partnership.
The Government Trade Forum is monitoring implementation of the Action Plan, and will ensure that the commitments made are delivered.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade received an additional funding allocation of €2.5 million in Budget 2026, to support Market Diversification, to reinforce Ireland’s diplomatic footprint across the USA and strengthen Ireland’s presence in key locations around the world.
Traditional markets such as the EU, US and the UK remain vital to Irish exporters. These strong established trading relationships are underpinned by strong political and people-to-people connections and it is important that we continue to invest in these relationships and maximise the value from these markets. We are committed to maintaining and strengthening, where possible, these relationships.
We will also invest in our relationships in new and emerging markets and identify and avail of the opportunities they offer to businesses in Ireland. The Government has already made a significant investment in this regard with significant additional diplomatic and State agency resources in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Gulf under Global Ireland 2025. Ireland is now represented with diplomatic missions in over 100 cities around the world, all of whom have trade promotion as one of their core priorities
