178. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the role of his Department in the promotion of Irish business and State agency interests abroad through the Ireland houses diplomatic initiative; the engagement his Department has had to date with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the establishment of new Ireland houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45634/26]

As Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment my Department works closely with our agencies to support the promotion of Irish business with the goal of securing high-level market access for companies based in Ireland that are aiming to grow business overseas and increase domestic employment, and for showcasing opportunities for foreign direct investment in support of high-quality jobs and regional development throughout Ireland.

My Department is supportive of the development of Ireland Houses and one of my senior officials sits on the Ireland House High Level Oversight Committee to deliver on the ambitions outlined in the Action Plan on Market Diversification. I recently visited Ireland House in New York and can see the value that it adds to the coordination and cooperation between agencies to benefit enterprise and tourism development.

Agencies and bodies under the remit of my Department with oversea offices IDA , EI and Tourism Ireland work collaboratively with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the selection of locations which match the individual operational objectives for the establishment of an Ireland House location. The decision to join an Ireland House project are guided by respective policy objectives as agreed by their boards taking into account agreed Government policy.