8 October 2009Mr Gavin Sheridan21 The CourtyardCastleredmondMidletonCO CORK

File Reference : EI/0143/FoI

Dear Mr Sheridan

Advice of decision on FOI Request (SS 8 and 13)

I refer to the request, dated 31 August 2009, which you made under the Freedom of Information Act for access to records held by Enterprise Ireland.As FOI Decision Maker I wish to advise that I made a final decision on your requeston 8 October 2009. I will seek to answer any questions you may have in relation tomy decision and to assist you generally in this matter. I may be contacted bytelephone on number 01/7272805.Your request concerned records of travel and expenses relating to a trade mission toIndia in 2006. I have made a final decision today to grant your request. If you haveany queries regarding this correspondence please contact me (contact details are at theend of this letter).The purpose of this letter is to set out this response, which has the following parts:1.A table setting out air travel charges and other expenses for the trade mission party, giving the identity of the individuals and details of mode and class of travel;2.Background information on trade missions, their purpose and outcomes;3.Background information on Enterprise Ireland’s travel policy and procedures;4.A statement of how you can appeal this decision should you wish to do so.I am also enclosing background EI documents which outline relevant EI policies and procedures such as:



Official EI Staff Travel Policy



Official EI Staff guidelines and regulations on travel, subsistence and other expenses (including applicable rates per country).

The detailed table relating to travel and expenses, the supporting informationregarding trade missions and travel policy, along with the broader EI policydocuments should give you a clear sense of how expenses and air travel processesoperate in EI in relation to trade missions.

Rights of appeal

You may appeal this decision. In the event that you need to make such an appeal, youcan do so by writing to me (contact details at end of this letter). Your correspondenceshould include a fee of €75 for processing the appeal. Payment should be made byway of bank draft, money order, postal order or personal cheque made payable toEnterprise Ireland. You should make your appeal within 4 weeks from the date of thisnotification. However, the making of a late appeal may be permitted in appropriatecircumstances.

A week is defined in the Act to mean 5 consecutive weekdays,excluding Saturdays and public holidays (Sundays are also excluded, as they are not weekdays)

. The appeal will involve a complete reconsideration of the matter by amore senior member of the staff of Enterprise Ireland.Yours sincerely, ______________ Eileen BanksPress and Public RelationsEnterprise IrelandThe PlazaEast Point Business Park Dublin 3IrelandTel: +353 1 727 2805 Fax: +353 1 727 2086Email:eileen.banks@enterprise-ireland.com Web:www.enterprise-ireland.comAttached:1.Taoiseach led India Trade Mission 2006 – Schedule of Travel Costs andExpenses2.About Enterprise Ireland and Trade Missions3.Enterprise Ireland’s Travel Policy

Note: All references to particular sections of the FOI Act, unless otherwise stated, refer to the 1997 FOI Act as amended by the 2003 Act.

About Enterprise Ireland and Trade Missions

Enterprise Ireland’s core aim is to increase Irish exports by accelerating thedevelopment of Irish companies and assisting them in accessing world markets.Under Enterprise Ireland’s business strategy

Transforming Irish Industry 2008-2012

we have set a strategic target to help Irish companies secure new export sales of €4bn by the end of 2010. In this context, foreign travel is essential and integral to theagency achieving its aims and objectives.To secure these goals, Enterprise Ireland has a network of 31 international offices that provide specialised support to Irish companies’ efforts to win export sales, engage ininternational partnerships and joint ventures and establish in market presences.Overseas market and trade events are central to the strategy to grow export sales.Every year, Enterprise Ireland organises and participates in various overseas trademissions, in-market visits and overseas trade fairs and exhibitions to help clientcompanies access international markets and to build the profile of Irish capabilitiesoverseas. Every exporting country in the world has similar programmes of trademissions and events.International trade missions and events are highly effective actions to grow exportsales. On recent trade missions for example, the following levels of sales were won by Irish companies:

•

€40m of contracts and agreements were signed during the Tánaiste-ledmission to UAE, November ‘08

•

€65m of contracts and agreements were signed during the Ministerial trademission to China September ‘08

•

€9.1m of contracts and agreements were signed during the Ministerial trademission to Brazil and Mexico May ‘08

•

€29m of contracts and agreements were signed on the Tanaiste-led trademission to Silicon Valley March ‘08

•

€35m of contracts and agreements were signed during the Taoiseach-led trademission to South Africa January ‘08